VP Duterte Impeachment Trial: Military Officers Debunk DepEd Fund Liquidation Claims

VP Duterte Impeachment Trial: Military Officers Debunk DepEd Fund Liquidation Claims

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | September 2, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte resumed on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, featuring compelling testimony from two Philippine Army officers that directly challenged the legitimacy of military certifications used by the Department of Education (DepEd) to liquidate P112.5 million in confidential funds from 2023.

Colonel Manaros Boransing II informed the Senate impeachment court that the Army received no funds, confidential or otherwise, from the Vice President’s office for the 2023 Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) or the Information Education Communication (IEC) campaign. While acknowledging that DepEd might have utilized its regular budget for these programs, he disavowed any knowledge regarding the expenditure of confidential funds.

Colonel Magtanggol Panopio testified that a certification he issued for the youth summit was, in his professional opinion, not a valid supporting document for liquidation before the Commission on Audit (COA). Panopio expressed shock upon learning that DepEd used his certification to justify expenses.

These testimonies form the core of the House prosecution’s case, which alleges misuse of confidential funds under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment. The military officers were presented to clarify the protocol for obtaining and utilizing such certifications by DepEd.

In a pivotal development, Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero issued a comprehensive prohibition on witnesses possessing or accessing earpieces, mobile phones, smartwatches, and similar communication devices while testifying. This ruling, aimed at preventing external influence or the dissemination of misinformation, follows a court determination that a viral image, allegedly showing a previous witness, OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, wearing an earpiece, was AI-generated and spurious.

Senator Vicente Sotto III addressed the contentious issue of suspicious names appearing on OVP confidential fund acknowledgment receipts. Sotto asserted that a name can only be considered an alias if a verifiable individual exists behind it; otherwise, it must be classified as fictitious or fraudulent. The receipts reportedly included names strikingly similar to commercial brands and public figures, such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Miggy Mango,” and “Kristine Applegate Estrada.”

The public prosecutor indicated that the prosecution anticipates presenting an estimated three to four additional witnesses under Article I, which focuses on the confidential fund allegations. Defense lawyer Michael Poa, who has temporarily stepped aside from his role as defense spokesperson, is expected to testify regarding the military certifications he reportedly assisted DepEd in obtaining. The prosecution is expected to conclude its presentation on Article I in approximately one week.

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