The prosecution panel in the ongoing impeachment trial is set to call two Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers to the witness stand following the testimony of Lemuel Ortonio from the Office of the Vice President.
Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtanggol Panopio are expected to testify regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Department of Education (DepEd). Meanwhile, former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda will be unable to testify due to health issues.
The AFP reaffirmed its commitment to the proceedings, assuring full backing for its personnel summoned by the court.
“The AFP has been assuring the Filipino public that whatever assistance the Armed Forces of the Philippines can provide, we have been very cooperative and supportive of that. These three officers have appeared before, and we are going to allow them and support them in performing their mandate to shed light on these questions,” stated AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.
Additionally, prosecutors plan to summon Atty. Michael Poa as a hostile witness. Poa, who currently serves as a defense counsel and spokesperson for the defense team, previously served as chief of staff and spokesperson for DepEd.
Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers, an adviser to the prosecution, underscored the necessity of Poa’s testimony given his prior position in the department.
“Si Atty Michael Poa was the assistant chief of staff sa Department of Education so mahalaga ang kanyang role, mahalagang matanong sya kung ano ang naging role niya sa paggamit at paggastos ng confidential fund na nakalaan sa Department of Education,” Barbers said.
The prosecution noted that they expect Poa’s statements to remain consistent with his 2024 testimony before the House Committee on Good Government.
While the panel currently has no immediate plans to present Col. Dante Lachica, Barbers indicated that his appearance remains an option if necessary to bolster the prosecution’s case.
“Hindi sarado ang aming isipan na iprisenta si Col. Lachica, kung naniniwala kami na mayroon pang kakulangan, o kinakialangan pa madagdagan ng evidentiary value o pwede sumuporta sa allegations, bakit hindi? In fact nakalista sya,” Barbers added.
The impeachment trial will resume on Tuesday, September 1, following the National Heroes Day holiday on Monday, August 31.