Ex-DepEd SDO Fajarda’s appearance at impeachment trial moved to September 7

DAY SEVEN. Presiding officer Chiz Escudero opens the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 20, 2026. Senate Social Media Unit Edward Fajarda, who suffered a stroke, will have to get the clearance of his neurologist to appear at the impeachment trial on the new date The impeachment court will issue a subpoena for Edward Fajarda to testify at Vice President Sara Duterte's trial after he completes a two-week medical rest due to a stroke. Fajarda's appearance on September 7, 2026, is contingent on receiving medical clearance from his neurologist, as confirmed by the court's spokesperson. The court plans to address the use of inappropriate language during the trial and establish clear guidelines for courtroom conduct to prevent future incidents. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment court will issue a new subpoena against former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda to allow him to complete his two-week recommended medical rest before he is called to testify at Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero made the announcement on Tuesday, August 25, following the Senate Medical Bureau’s confirmation that Fajarda suffered a stroke and was advised to take bed rest for two weeks, or from August 20 to September 3. “Chair therefore instructs the Clerk of Court to issue the corresponding subpoena on the subsequent trial date on September 7, 2026 at 10 am,” Escudero said during the 18th day of the impeachment trial. Prosecutors intended to present Fajarda as one of its witnesses for Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which accuses the second-highest official of misusing P612.5 million confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd. Escudero said on Monday, August 24, that Fajarda’s legal counsel sent a letter to the court informing them of his client’s medical condition. Escudero also instructed the Senate doctor to examine Fajarda and validate the medical findings before excusing him from the trial. Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said, however, that Fajarda’s September 7 appearance would depend on whether or not he would get clearance from his own doctor, as this is a requirement set by the Senate doctor for Fajarda to appear on the new trial date. “Kung di siya mabibigyan ng clearance ng neurologist niya mismo, then baka maudlot ang kanyang pag-testigo sa September 7,” Tongol said. (If his neurologist will not issue a clearance, then that may hamper his appearance before the court on September 7.) Court to issue ruling on ‘impertinent’ language Tongol also said the impeachment court will issue a ruling on the use of impertinent language on Wednesday, August 26, to prevent a repeat of the incident. Possible sanctions include admonishment, reprimand, fines, and imprisonment or detention, he added. “‘Yung ruling niya pong gagawin tomorrow will not just deal with the past, it will just be for the future circumstances na maulit po ulit ‘yun. Para hindi na po magkaroon ng repetition. Para klaro na po sa both parties ‘yung terms of engagement kapag siya po ay nasa loob ng korte; ano ang bawal. At kahit nasa labas po, ano rin ang bawal. At kung nilabag mo ‘yung bawal, ano ang penalties mo. Para wala na po tayong mangyaring haka-haka, parang klaro na po tomorrow lahat,” said Tongol. (The ruling he will issue tomorrow will not just deal with the past. It will also be for future instances in which this may happen again, so that there will be no repetition. So that the terms of engagement when they are inside the courtroom will be clear to both parties; what is prohibited. And even outside the courtroom, what is prohibited as well. And if you violate those prohibitions, what penalties you will face. So that there will no longer be any speculation, everything will be clear tomorrow.) Defense lawyer Kristine Ferrer reminded the prosecution to avoid using “inappropriate” words such as “scam”, “mastermind”, and “lying” during the trial. Escudero agreed that the prosecution had used such language while Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano reminded both the prosecution and defense to be “circumspect” in choosing their terms. House private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia apologized for instances she got “carried away” during the proceedings. Tongol also clarified that changes in the schedule of the impeachment trial would depend on the calendar of the Senate finance committee for the deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget. Escudero expressed optimism the trial will end by December but Tongol explained that these remarks were also based on “expectations that both parties will drop corroborative witnesses.” A total of 102 witnesses were scheduled for presentation at Duterte’s impeachment trial. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading