THE House prosecution panel expects to finish its confidential funds presentation as early as next week, then move to the next article in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua announced the target Tuesday after Col. Manaros M. Boransing II and Col. Magtangol G. Panopio testified about Army certifications later used in the Department of Education’s response to state auditors.
Chua said the team had already covered the central points involving the Youth Leadership Summits and the military certifications.
“Masasabi natin, baka by next week ay matapos na, hopefully, ang confidential funds, and we will move on to the next article,” he said at the prosecution post-trial press conference.
The prosecution is shortening its witness list where several witnesses would cover the same ground. Chua said two more military officers would no longer be presented because their expected testimony would largely repeat the points already placed on the record.
“Iisa lang naman iyong sasabihin nila,” Chua said. “To shorten—ayaw naman natin ng protracted hearing. Gusto natin matapos na rin ito.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the prosecution expects to present former DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley Poa and a representative of the Philippine Statistics Authority. Poa is expected to address the chain behind the military certifications, while the PSA witness will cover its checks of names appearing in confidential-fund records.
After those witnesses, Chua said the remaining Article I lineup would be short.
“Ang natitira na lamang si Mr. Edward Fajarda, and probably isa—or at most, dalawa,” he said, referring to DepEd’s former special disbursing officer.
The prosecution will make its final lineup decision after Wednesday’s hearing.
“The decision will be finalized by tomorrow, after ng presentation kay Atty. Poa at sa PSA,” Chua said.
“Bukas, i-announce na namin kung sino ang aming magiging testigo next week,” he added.
Article I centers on the alleged misuse, misappropriation and irregular liquidation of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds: ₱500 million released to the Office of the Vice President in 2022 and 2023, and ₱112.5 million released to DepEd in 2023 while Duterte was education secretary.
Chua said the prosecution is working against a wider calendar. Once it completes its evidence, the defense must still present its own case.
“May target kasi tayo. We have to understand, after us mayroon pang defense; sila naman ang magpe-present. Siyempre ayaw naman natin na umabot pa ito by next year,” he said.
The broader goal is to complete the presentation of evidence in time for the impeachment court to deliberate before year-end.
“Sana, hopefully, by November tapos na lahat, so by December we can have the decision of the impeachment court whether or not to convict the Vice President,” Chua said.
metrosundaily
