Manila, Aug. 24 -- The Senate impeachment court on Monday directed its medical bureau to independently verify the condition of former Department of Education (DepEd) Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda before deciding whether to excuse him from testifying this week in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.

Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero issued the directive after the court received a medical certificate saying Fajarda, who was supposed to testify from Aug. 24 to 26, had suffered a stroke and was initially confined in an intensive care unit for observation before being transferred to a regular room.

"However, before we excuse him as requested, the chair, rather, the court is instructing and directing the head o...