AFP witnesses to clarify certifications on DepEd CF liquidation

MANILA, Philippines — Two military officers expected before the Senate impeachment court can help explain why Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) certifications were used in Department of Education confidential-fund records even though the signatories previously said they did not know that purpose, House prosecution spokespersons said Friday.

Retired Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtangol Panopio are scheduled as prosecution witnesses. Their certifications figured in DepEd’s response to audit findings regarding its 2023 confidential fund expenses while Vice President Sara Duterte was still the education secretary.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said their testimony should connect details left open by earlier witnesses. “Matatahi na yung buong kuwento, kumbaga,” he said during the prosecution’s August 28 online press conference.

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“Makikita natin kung paano ginastos, saan napunta, ba’t walang resibo, ba’t walang additional information tungkol sa nagamit,” Ortega said. “We will shed some light on these topics.”

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House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers said the hearing should also protect the military’s institutional neutrality. “Ang Armed Forces of the Philippines ay isang organisasyon na hindi dapat na-involve sa politika,” he said.

The testimony should show whether military officers knowingly took part in the fund process or whether their signatures were used without a full explanation of the documents’ purpose.

“Kung sila ay lalabas na ginamit sa anumang personal na layunin ng ilang mga politiko, may dapat pananagutan,” Barbers said. He added that accountability is also required if the officers were drawn into the transaction without their knowledge.

Barbers said the certifications matter because they may have been used to answer an audit question and support a public-fund liquidation. He declined to predict the witnesses’ testimony, saying the public should watch how the documents are explained in court.

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The larger principle is simple, he said: “They should remain apolitical; they should remain neutral.”

Ortega said distributing confidential fund cash was outside the security officers’ assigned role. “Hindi po nila trabaho iyan, kumuha ng pera at ipamigay yung mga pera na iyan,” he said.

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“Ang trabaho po nila is to secure yung kanilang Vice President,” Ortega added. He said the documents presented so far did not show that the officers had authority to use or distribute the money.

Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao was initially among three military officials identified for testimony, but the prosecution later dropped him after the court had difficulty serving a subpoena. Boransing and Panopio remain scheduled. /cb