Senators question validity of AFP certification supporting DepEd fund use

Senator-judges Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva on Tuesday questioned the validity of an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) certification presented to justify the liquidation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) confidential and intelligence funds.

During the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Hontiveros pressed Philippine Army Col. Manaros Boransing II regarding a certification he issued concerning DepEd’s participation in the Army’s Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities.

Boransing admitted under questioning that the document contained no details regarding specific amounts, expenditures, or funding sources that could prove how much DepEd spent on the military-led programs.

"Based on your presentation as a witness, it appears DepEd used your certification as justification for how the department spent its confidential and intelligence funds. But in your certification, did you mention how much DepEd allegedly spent on the Philippine Army’s activities?" Hontiveros asked.

Boransing clarified that the document merely confirmed DepEd's participation—along with other stakeholders—and did not certify that DepEd allocated regular, confidential, or intelligence funds for the events. He added that he had no personal knowledge of how the department utilized its confidential and intelligence funds in connection with the activities.

Senator-judge Joel Villanueva separately grilled Boransing on the intended scope of military certifications issued to government agencies, questioning whether such documents could legitimately serve as proof of confidential expenditure.

"So your exact intention in issuing the certification was merely to confirm that the activities took place?" Villanueva asked.

Boransing affirmed that the certification was solely meant to verify that routine civil-military operations occurred and that participating agencies were present. He emphasized that no intelligence-gathering activities were conducted during the youth summits.

Villanueva further established during the questioning that civil-military units are funded directly through the Philippine Army’s regular budget, rather than through intelligence funds. -Paraluman News