DepEd ex-disbursing exec Fajarda may no longer be presented as witness

MANILA, Philippines — Lead House prosecutor Gerville Luistro said they may no longer present the testimony of former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda before the Senate impeachment court due to his poor health.

READ: VP Duterte trial: Prosecution ‘willing to wait’ for ill-stricken Fajarda

However, Luistro noted on Wednesday that this will only happen should the defense team agree to its request for stipulations.

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Stipulations refer to an agreement formed by opposing parties in a legal proceeding to accept certain facts as true without needing to prove them.

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“It is our intention not to aggravate his condition. As a matter of fact, it is likewise our intention to excuse him, if possible, from the rigors of being presented in the witnesses’ stand,” said Luistro in a manifestation.

“However, that is without sacrificing the case of the prosecution, and that is why we would like to explore the possibility of entering into stipulations,” she told the impeachment court.

“And if the defense will agree, then there is a possibility as well that the prosecution will move to dispense with the testimony of Edward Fajarda,” she offered.

Court presiding officer and Senator-judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero, for his part, directed the prosecution to submit its request for stipulations to the defense team in writing.

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He also stated that the court is ready to excuse Fajarda on Monday, Sept. 7 should he be not healthy enough to answer the subpoena issued to him.

Escudero also said that the Senate’s own doctors will check if Fajarda is fit to attend trial.

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“However, that does not preclude [the prosecution] from submitting a request for stipulation before the week is over, so we can get the comment of the counsel for the respondent on Monday,” said the presiding officer.

The presentation of Fajarda before the Senate impeachment court was moved to Sept. 7 from Aug. 25 after the court received a medical certificate informing them of Fajarda suffering a stroke. /apl