Manila, Sept. 7 -- The House prosecution panel on Monday dropped former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda as a witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial after doctors advised him to undergo another 30 days of recovery from a stroke.

Private prosecutor Rey Robles informed the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution was dispensing with Fajarda's testimony following the latest medical assessment, which was also confirmed by Senate doctors.

"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," Robles said.

Presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero subsequently orde...