Former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer (SDO) Edward Fajarda will not testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after suffering a stroke, the prosecution said Monday.

On the 22nd day of the trial, prosecution counsel Rep. Joel Chua informed the Senate impeachment court that they were notified Sunday night of Fajarda’s medical condition, preventing him from appearing as a witness.

“We were informed last night of the medical condition of SDO Edward Fajarda and I understand that during the last hearing we offered to make a stipulation with the defense,” Chua said.

The prosecution asked the defense to stipulate to Fajarda’s testimony instead, citing a medical bulletin stating that the former DepEd officer needs to rest for 30 days.

Both defense and prosecution also disagreed over the terminology to be used in describing the transfer of confidential funds to DepEd Security Officer Col. Dennis Nolasco.

Defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel proposed using the term “disbursed” instead of “turned over” in the prosecution’s third request for stipulation.

Prosecution counsel Reynaldo Robles opposed the proposal, saying there was no document presented showing payment to Nolasco.

Impeachment court Presiding Officer Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said the court could appreciate the distinction between the two terms later in the proceedings.

Escudero proposed instead that the stipulation state that Nolasco “received the funds.”

The discussion came as the prosecution continued presenting evidence related to the alleged handling and disbursement of confidential funds involving Duterte’s office and DepEd.