VP Duterte Impeachment Trial: Army Officers Testify on DepEd Funds

MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its 20th day on Tuesday, with two Philippine Army officers taking center stage to testify about military certifications used by the Department of Education (DepEd) to support its liquidation of P112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023. Colonel Manaros Boransing II informed the Senate impeachment court that military certifications were presented by DepEd as evidence to justify the disbursement of these confidential funds. These certifications are understood to be crucial in substantiating the proper utilization of funds by the department. This testimony is significant as it sheds light on the purported connection between the military and the DepEd's use of confidential funds. The impeachment proceedings have largely focused on allegations that these funds may have been misused for political purposes, and the military certifications are now under scrutiny to determine their validity and impact on the case. Vice President Duterte also serves as the Secretary of Education, and the use of DepEd's confidential funds has been a recurring point of contention in legislative inquiries. The testimony from the Army officers could potentially influence the outcome of the trial, drawing considerable public attention.