VP Duterte impeachment trial: Ex-DepEd officer’s testimony reset to September 7 after stroke

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 25, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Impeachment Court hearing the case against Vice President Sara Duterte has moved the testimony of a key prosecution witness to Sept. 7, after he suffered a stroke earlier this month.

Edward Fajarda, a former special disbursing officer at the Department of Education (DepEd), had been scheduled to appear before the court on August 25. His presentation was suspended after the court received a medical certificate stating he needed to rest.

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro told the court that the medical certificate, issued Aug. 20, recommended a two-week recovery period ending Sept. 3. Since that date falls on a Thursday, the prosecution asked to reschedule Fajarda’s testimony to the following Sunday, Sept. 7.

Luistro also requested a certified copy of the medical certificate to formally submit to the court.

Impeachment Trial Court presiding officer and senator Francis Escudero directed the head of the Senate’s Medical and Dental Bureau to examine Fajarda, verify the medical findings, and report back on his condition and ability to testify.

“And if he indeed will be unable to testify this week, and when he can at all testify,” Escudero said.

Second witness to proceed as scheduled

While Fajarda’s appearance has been postponed, the court confirmed that Office of the Vice President assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio will still testify as planned on Aug. 25, also as a prosecution witness.

Ortonio had earlier requested to be excused from hearings between Aug. 17 and 19 to take his psychologist licensure examination. That exam has since been rescheduled to Sept. 1 and 2 because of bad weather.

Escudero said a subpoena had already been issued for Ortonio to attend the hearings, and that the court expected him to appear as scheduled.

“A subpoena has been issued to him to attend today and tomorrow’s hearing, so we expect Mr. Ortonio to be here tomorrow as a witness of the prosecution, and we note and appreciate the manifestation of Mr. Ortonio regarding the postponement of his exams,” Escudero said.

The impeachment trial against Duterte continues, with the prosecution working through its list of witnesses as the proceedings move forward.