The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday continue the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment concerning the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
For the 20th day of the proceedings, the House prosecution team was set to present Armed Forces of the Philippines officials Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtanggol Panopio as witnesses.
Their expected testimonies formed part of the prosecution’s efforts to establish its allegations involving the use of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as vice president.
Trial begins
The 20th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial begins with 15 senator-judges in attendance.
Senator-judge Juan Miguel Zubiri led the opening prayer, expressing hope that the proceedings would not cause division among Filipinos. The Senate impeachment court then proceeded with the continuation of the trial.
Article I presentation resumes in VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles formally resumed the presentation of Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, concerning allegations of misuse of confidential funds.
Col. Manaros Boransing II takes oath as witness
AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II took his oath as a witness before the Senate impeachment court.
He was set to testify that an annual military event did not receive reward money or financial assistance from the Department of Education (DepEd).
The event was among the military activities cited by the agency in explaining its use of confidential funds.
Prosecutor presents Boransing’s offer of testimony
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles presented the “offer of testimony” of retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II regarding the Philippine Army certification allegedly used to support ₱15.54 million in reward payments from DepEd confidential funds.
Defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel questioned the testimony, arguing that its purpose involved conclusions without factual or legal basis.
Direct examination of Boransing begins
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles began the direct examination of retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II.
Boransing served as a witness in connection with Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Boransing details Philippine Army activities
Retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II said during direct examination that the certification he signed on January 1, 2024, confirmed the Philippine Army’s Youth Leadership Summit and Information Education Campaign activities conducted in 2023.
He testified that these activities were regular programs of the Philippine Army.
Boransing said the Army conducted eight Youth Leadership Summit activities and 53 Information Education Campaign activities that year.
No DepEd, OVP funds released for 2023 Army activities
Boransing II testified that no funds from the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Office of the Vice President (OVP) were released to the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division for its 2023 Youth Leadership Summit and Information Education Campaign activities.
Prosecution also presented portions of a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing where the conduct of the Youth Leadership Summit was discussed.
Youth Leadership Summits held in high-threat areas
Boransing II testified that Youth Leadership Summits (YLS) were usually conducted in areas considered high-risk for security threats, where the Philippine Army also carried out security and intelligence operations.
He said the YLS was funded through the Army’s regular budget and that no funds from the Department of Education (DepEd) were released to their unit. Boransing, however, clarified that he had no knowledge of whether DepEd used confidential funds or confidential information in selecting the locations for the activities.
Trial is on recess
The trial was temporarily suspended for a lunch break.
The Senate impeachment court was scheduled to resume the proceedings at 12:45 p.m.
Defense skips cross-examination of Boransing
Defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel skipped the cross-examination of retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II.
Bacquel told the Senate impeachment court, “Nothing to cross-examine, Your Honor,” indicating that the defense had no questions for the witness.
Tulfo questions Boransing over DepEd certification
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questioned retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II on whether he secured clearance from his superiors before issuing a certification related to DepEd’s 2023 confidential fund allocation.
Boransing said he sought permission from his commander, who also instructed him to prepare the certification. He added that his commander did not provide a reason for why the certification was needed.
Hontiveros questions Boransing on DepEd funds
Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros questioned retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II on whether his certification established that DepEd used regular, confidential, or intelligence funds for Philippine Army activities.
Boransing clarified that the certification did not mention any source of funding. He also said he had no personal knowledge of DepEd’s use of confidential or intelligence funds.
Gatchalian asks about DepEd intelligence information
Senate President Win Gatchalian asked AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II whether DepEd provided confidential or surveillance information for the conduct of the Youth Leadership Summit and Information Education Campaign activities.
Boransing said the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division did not receive such information from DepEd.
He clarified that the agency only provided open-source information, including details on potential student leaders and suitable schools for the activities.
Villanueva asks Boransing about intelligence operations
Senator-judge Joel Villanueva asked retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II how regular Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) and Information Education Communication (IEC) activities differed from actual intelligence-gathering operations.
Boransing explained that intelligence preparation was conducted before the activities. He clarified that no intelligence operations were carried out while the YLS and IEC activities were ongoing.
Army spent up to ₱60,000 per Youth Leadership Summit
Retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II testified that the Philippine Army spent an estimated ₱30,000 to ₱60,000 for each of its eight Youth Leadership Summits.
Asked by Senator-judge Bam Aquino about the reported ₱15 million spent for information, surveillance, and security activities, Boransing declined to comment, citing the ongoing impeachment trial and the pending finality of the COA decision.
Lacson questions Boransing on certification
Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson questioned retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II on whether he knew that the certification he issued would be used as a liquidation instrument for DepEd confidential funds.
Boransing said he was not aware that the certification would be used for the liquidation of confidential funds.
Cayetanos raise questions on YLS and confidential funds
Senator-judge Pia Cayetano questioned retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II on how the Philippine Army adapted its Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) to modern recruitment methods, including social media and technology.
Boransing said the military coordinated with various government agencies and local governments to address these changes.
Meanwhile, Senator-judge Alan Cayetano questioned whether the improper release of confidential funds automatically constituted fraud, with the prosecution arguing that a prima facie presumption of misappropriation applied.
Escudero reiterates burden of proof remains with prosecution.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero emphasized that the burden of proof remained with the prosecution throughout the impeachment trial. He clarified that while the burden of evidence could shift depending on how an issue was presented, the burden of proof itself never shifted. His remarks came after Senator-judge Alan Cayetano questioned whether the alleged improper release of confidential funds constituted fraud or merely an irregularity.
Panopio takes oath as prosecution witness
The prosecution began its direct examination of Col. Magtanggol Panopio during the continuation of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Panopio appeared before the Senate impeachment court and took his oath as a prosecution witness.
Lacson questions Panopio over similar certifications
Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson questioned AFP Col. Magtangol Panopio over the similarities between his certification and that of Col. Sangdaan. Panopio denied coordinating with Sangdaan and explained that the similar wording followed the military’s standard doctrine and format outlined in the Youth Leadership Summit handbook.
Trial adjourns
The 20th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial formally adjourned on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The Senate impeachment court was scheduled to resume the proceedings on Wednesday, September 2, at 10 a.m.
