The prosecution panel has decided to forgo the testimony of former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer (SDO) Edward Fajarda in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing humanitarian considerations over his health condition.

Prosecution counsel Atty. Reynaldo Robles said Monday that while the panel still had many questions for Fajarda, it would no longer pursue his testimony after he suffered a stroke.

“In view of the latest medical update and the confirmation by the doctors of the Senate, as a humanitarian consideration, we are going to dispense with the testimony of the witness and we wish him well,” Robles said.

Senate Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Fajarda would need an additional 30 days to recover from the stroke, based on confirmation from Senate doctors.

The prosecution subsequently withdrew its request for a subpoena against Fajarda.

“Having withdrawn the request for subpoena for Mr. Edward Fajarda, the presiding officer hereby orders the recall of the subpoena issued to him,” Escudero said.

Escudero then ordered the recall of the subpoena, effectively ending efforts to compel Fajarda to appear as a prosecution witness in the trial.