Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro on Tuesday underscored the need for physical attendance of senator-judges in impeachment proceedings, as questions resurfaced over Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa’s absence at the start of the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

Luistro was asked by reporters about a motion in the Senate seeking to allow remote or online voting in impeachment matters in light of Dela Rosa’s absence.

“My personal opinion is the senator-judges should be personally present,” Luistro said. “This is paramount because this is a constitutional mandate. So, I believe that they should be present to have a correct appreciation of all the evidence to be presented and that is including the exercise of his or her right to vote," she said.

Her remarks came as the Senate convened as an impeachment court, where the physical presence of senator-judges is generally considered critical in reviewing evidence and participating in deliberations and voting.

Dela Rosa’s absence at the opening of the proceedings has drawn renewed attention, with Luistro’s comments adding to the ongoing debate over whether remote participation should be allowed in impeachment trials involving sitting senators acting in a judicial capacity.

The senator has also been largely out of public view following the May 13 Senate shooting incident, according to earlier accounts, after previously appearing in the chamber ahead of the disruption.

Dela Rosa was present during a session on May 11, allegedly tied to a leadership transition that saw Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano assume the Senate presidency, replacing Sen. Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III.