Manila, Aug. 25 -- Former Department of Education (DepEd) Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda is set to take the witness stand on Sept. 7 after the Senate's medical bureau independently confirmed that he recently suffered a stroke and needs two weeks of rest.

Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Tuesday directed the impeachment court clerk to issue a subpoena for Fajarda's appearance on the subsequent trial date, after receiving the medical report from Senate Medical and Dental Bureau Director Dr. Renato Sison Jr.

The Senate physician found Fajarda's condition consistent with his stroke diagnosis and noted neurological deficits requiring rest from Aug. 20 to Sept. 2 to reduce the risk of another stroke. He was also advise...