MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its 20th day on Tuesday, September 1, with the Senate impeachment court turning its attention to military certifications allegedly used to support the liquidation of confidential funds spent by the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
The House prosecution is set to present retired Colonel Manaros Boransing II as its latest witness. His testimony is expected to focus on Article I of the impeachment case, particularly allegations involving the systematic misappropriation and irregular liquidation of confidential funds.
According to GMA News, Boransing is expected to testify about military certifications connected to DepEd’s explanation for its use of confidential funds. Colonel Magtangol Panopio is also expected to testify after Boransing. Both military officials had previously said they issued certifications but maintained that they were not aware that the documents would be used to support the liquidation of DepEd confidential-fund expenditures.
Why the AFP certifications matter
The certifications have become an important part of the prosecution’s presentation concerning the P112.5 million in DepEd confidential funds reportedly used during Duterte’s time as education secretary.
Reports from Philstar and other outlets said the prosecution is questioning whether military activities cited in DepEd’s documentation were actually financed using the agency’s confidential funds.
During a 2024 House inquiry, military officials reportedly testified that activities such as Youth Leadership Summits were funded by the military and participating local governments, rather than through DepEd confidential funds.
The Senate impeachment court will ultimately have to determine how much evidentiary weight these testimonies and documents should carry.
Michael Poa also expected to take the witness stand
Another potentially significant development is the expected testimony of Michael Poa, a former DepEd official and spokesperson who is now part of Duterte’s defense team.
The House prosecution has identified Poa as a witness concerning the alleged use of P112.5 million in DepEd confidential funds. His previous involvement in the 2024 congressional inquiry could make his testimony particularly significant as prosecutors seek to clarify how the documents and certifications were prepared and used.
Poa has said he is ready to testify and has indicated that he wants to explain the extent of his participation in the matters being examined.
That creates an unusual courtroom dynamic: a member of Duterte’s current defense team is expected to appear as a prosecution witness.
The trial has already produced contentious testimony
The AFP witnesses are appearing after several weeks of testimony concerning the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
One recent witness, OVP assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio, testified about the handling and use of confidential funds. Inquirer reported that Ortonio said Duterte and her former security chief, Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, were among those who had knowledge of how the funds were used.
Another OVP employee, Gina Acosta, was previously declared a hostile witness by the Senate impeachment court.
The testimony has centered on documents, acknowledgment receipts, liquidation records and questions surrounding the use of confidential funds.
Importantly, these testimonies are evidence presented in an ongoing trial—not final findings that Duterte committed the alleged offenses.
What the impeachment case alleges
The House impeachment case against Duterte includes allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged violations of the Constitution and other alleged acts of betrayal of public trust, among other accusations.
GMA’s continuing timeline of the case reports that the House transmitted four Articles of Impeachment to the Senate in 2026. The first article includes allegations concerning the use and liquidation of confidential funds from both the Office of the Vice President and DepEd.
The prosecution bears the burden of proving its allegations before the Senate impeachment court.
The Senate court has also emphasized that it is conducting the trial independently from the House proceedings. The Supreme Court earlier dismissed petitions seeking to stop the House impeachment proceedings, ruling that the issues had become moot after the Articles of Impeachment had already been transmitted to the Senate.
Another major issue: Duterte’s financial records
The confidential-fund controversy is not the only major issue before the impeachment court.
The Senate court has also authorized additional subpoenas involving financial records connected to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, in relation to allegations concerning unexplained wealth.
Philstar reported that the latest subpoena covers peso-denominated accounts and certain corporate entities connected to the couple, while foreign-currency deposits remain excluded under the applicable restrictions. The concerned institutions were given until September 2 to produce the requested records.
This means the impeachment proceedings are simultaneously examining government spending records, confidential-fund documentation and financial records.
What to watch on Day 20
Tuesday’s proceedings could become important because the testimony of the AFP witnesses may help the Senate court assess whether military certifications cited by DepEd actually support the liquidation of the confidential funds.
The key questions include:
- What exactly did the AFP officers certify?
- Why were those certifications issued?
- Did the military officials know how their certifications would be used?
- Were the activities cited in the documents actually financed by DepEd confidential funds?
- What role did former DepEd officials play in preparing the documentation?
- And ultimately, does the evidence establish the allegations made in the impeachment articles?
The Senate impeachment court, rather than the House prosecution or defense, will ultimately determine how the evidence should be evaluated.
With Day 20 now underway, the proceedings are moving deeper into the prosecution’s examination of the paper trail surrounding the controversial confidential funds.
And with AFP officers and Michael Poa expected to provide testimony, the next phase of the trial could put an even sharper focus on how the P112.5 million in DepEd confidential funds was documented, justified and accounted for.
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