MANILA — A fellow Mindanaoan lawmaker has called on Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to show the same determination in attending the expected Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, urging him to appear physically despite risks.

House of Representatives trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Dela Rosa should demonstrate the same commitment he showed during recent Senate proceedings involving a leadership change.

“Let us remember, physical presence is important in legislation. The rules to require physical presence of legislators were actually (intended) to inculcate among members the deep commitment to good work,” Adiong said.

He recalled that the senator from Davao was previously reportedly blocked from entering the Senate premises and had to force his way in.

“In fact, just recently, remember when Senator Bato Dela Rosa was initially, according to his narration, blocked from entering the Senate premises and he had to force himself in.”

Adiong also cited earlier reports involving Dela Rosa during attempts by National Bureau of Investigation agents to serve a warrant from the International Criminal Court, saying the senator was injured in the process of evading arrest.

“There was a sort of, may nasugatan (he was wounded), Senator Bato Dela Rosa, because he needed to really break into the cordon of securities precluding him from entering the premises and, to me, that is the kind of commitment that we expect from the senators, to be able to participate in legislative matters, especially if they are deciding on a very important subject matter,” he said.

“But that kind of commitment should be applied to all other legislative work that the Senate would indulge itself in. It does not only require that kind of commitment when there is a decision to change the leadership. That is my point. That’s how commitment the public would expect from the senator.”

Adiong earlier raised concerns about proposals allowing virtual participation and online voting, saying it could weaken accountability and reduce public trust in lawmakers.

“People expect us to be there,” he said.