Panels settle stipulations on postponed witness in Sara Duterte trial

MANILA, Philippines – The defense and prosecution panels have already settled stipulations regarding former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer (SDO) Edward Fajarda, despite his postponed appearance in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Fajarda was initially scheduled to testify on Tuesday, but was postponed and placed as a reserved witness after he suffered a stroke.

Of the 11 stipulations proposed by the House prosecution on Monday, the defense turned down nine. 

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Listed below are the stipulations that the defense refused to agree to, which means the prosecution would have to prove through Fajarda their factual existence:

• When Fajarda was SDO, his wife, Sunshine Charry Fajarda, held the position of Head Executive Assistant and later the Assistant Secretary at DepEd while Duterte was the agency’s secretary
• During their time at DepEd, Fajarda and his wife received substantial monthly salaries
• After Duterte resigned as DepEd Secretary, the Fajarda couple were appointed positions at the Office of the Vice President (OVP)
• Fajarda’s employment at OVP is co-terminus with that of Duterte
• Sunshine Fajarda’s employment is also co-terminus with that of Duterte
• The positions of the Fajarda pair at the OVP carry substantial salaries, allowances and employment benefits, similar to those of their positions at DepEd
• Fajarda and/or his wife had an association with Duterte, whether personal or professional, dating back to at least since 2011 since they were in Davao City
• The Fajarda couple transferred residence from Davao City to Metro Manila in July 2022 after Duterte was elected vice president and was appointed DepEd secretary, to join her and serve with her at the DepEd.
• Fajarda, his wife and Duterte are co-respondents in the Office of the Ombudsman proceedings for plunder, malversation of public funds and related offenses.

The defense only agreed to accept as fact the following:

• Fajarda served as executive assistant and SDO for confidential funds (CFs) of DepEd during Duterte’s term as Education secretary
• Fajarda, as SDO, was tasked to disburse and liquidate P112.5 million in DepEd CFs /mr