Prosecution: ‘Impossible’ to call Fajarda as witness for now

MANILA, Philippines – Former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer (SDO) Edward Fajarda is unlikely to be called as witness in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after he was advised to rest for another 30 days, House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said on Monday.

Fajarda was SDO during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary when P112.5 million in confidential funds were disbursed from the first to third quarters of 2023.

Prior to standing as witness for the prosecution, Fajarda suffered a stroke.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Unfortunately, kahapon kasi nakita ko sa Viber group namin, yung medical bulletin na inissue kay Edward Fajarda kung saan inaadvise siya na another 30 days na pagpapahinga. With that, imposible na masalang namin siya today,” Chua told the media in an interview. 

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

(Unfortunately, yesterday I saw in our Viber group, the medical bulletin issued to Edward Fajarda advising him of another 30 days of rest. With that, it is impossible for us to see him today.)

READ: Duterte trial: Ex-DepEd SDO Fajarda’s appearance moved to Sept. 7

As a remedy, the prosecution hopes to pursue stipulations that Fajarda may have likewise stated if he took the witness stand.

“Hindi naman natin pupwedeng ipilit yung tao, baka habang nakaupo sa witness stand baka may mangyari pa diyan… For humanitarian reason naman, mas gugustohin natin na stipulation na lang. Tutal yung sasabihin niya naman narinig na natin sa committee on good government,” Chua added.

Article continues after this advertisement

(We can’t force the person, maybe while sitting on the witness stand something might happen… For humanitarian reasons, we would prefer to just stipulate. After all, we already heard what he said in the committee on good government.)

In 2024, Fajarda revealed at the House committee on good government and public accountability that he handed DepEd’s secret funds to Duterte’s security officer, Col. Dennis Nolasco.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Commission on Audit previously flagged the transfer as only the SDO and head of agency may disburse the secret funds. /jpv