Col. Manaros Boransing II testifies before the Senate Impeachment Court on Tuesday, Sept. 1, saying the Philippine Army used its own budget for 2023 Youth Leadership Summit activities and received no funding from the Department of Education for the activities under scrutiny in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
The Philippine Army used its own budget for its participation in Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) activities in 2023, an Army officer testified Tuesday, raising questions at Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial over how Department of Education confidential funds were documented and liquidated.
Col. Manaros Boransing II, then assistant chief of staff for civil-military operations of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said expenses for the activities were shouldered separately by the government agencies and local governments involved.
During questioning by senator-judge Erwin Tulfo, Boransing said the Army used its own funds for the participation of its personnel and coordination of the activities. Provincial, city and municipal governments, meanwhile, covered expenses involving participating students and out-of-school youth.
Prosecution counsel Reynaldo Robles then asked Boransing how much confidential funding DepEd had provided for the Army’s Youth Leadership Summit and information-related activities in 2023. “There was no funding released to the 1st Infantry Division from DepEd, sir, or from any source,” Boransing replied.
Asked whether confidential funds were provided by other offices identified with Duterte, Boransing was similarly categorical. “There were no funds from other government agencies,” he told the impeachment court.
The testimony placed renewed attention on certifications related to the Army activities that prosecutors said were used in connection with the liquidation of DepEd confidential funds. Boransing said he considered the certification he issued a routine document confirming that the activities were conducted and identifying participating agencies.
Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson asked whether Boransing knew the certification he personally prepared would be used for liquidation before the Commission on Audit. “No, Your Honor,” Boransing replied. Lacson, however, also pointed out that Boransing might not be in a position to know whether confidential funds had been received elsewhere within the military structure.
During questioning by senator-judge Francis Pangilinan, Boransing stressed that his certification contained no reference to financial support. “The certification does not mention any funds support, fund release, or anything about funds,” he said.
Col. Magtanggol Panopio, who testified after Boransing, similarly said his certification was meant to confirm the conduct of activities rather than DepEd spending. Asked by senator-judge Risa Hontiveros whether he knew of DepEd confidential funds being spent for the activities, Panopio replied, “Wala po ’yon sa certification ko.”