The House prosecution is considering the possibility of stipulating or reaching an agreement with the defense on the testimony of Department of Education (DepEd) Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda to shorten the proceedings in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Manila, House Prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said the move is among the options being considered to speed up the trial while ensuring that key evidence is still presented.
Fajarda is scheduled to testify as a prosecution witness next week.
However, Chua said the prosecution may ask the defense to stipulate to some of Fajarda’s statements, considering that the witness is still recovering from a stroke.
He explained that subjecting Fajarda to intense questioning as a hostile witness could put additional strain on his physical condition.
Meanwhile, the prosecution said it continues to assess other testimonies and pieces of evidence that may be presented in the coming hearings, while also considering possible adjustments to the impeachment trial schedule.
(Photo Courtesy: House of Representatives)
