Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said Sen. Mark Villar joined the Senate majority bloc to secure committee assignments and advance his legislative proposals.

Villar joined the majority on Thursday, Oct. 8, becoming its 14th member. More senators are expected to join the bloc in the coming days.

Zubiri said he had a “heart-to-heart discussion” with Villar, who wanted to become more active in the Senate’s legislative work.

“He really wants to work. And he wants committees where he can work, go around, and be a productive member of the Senate,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri added that Villar had several proposed measures he wanted to pass.

He also rejected suggestions that Villar’s transfer to the majority bloc would guarantee his vote to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial.

“Being a member of the majority, does it automatically mean that you will vote for conviction or for acquittal? It doesn’t mean that,” Zubiri said.

He noted that some majority members could vote to acquit Duterte, while some members of the minority could vote to convict her.

“It all has to do with evidence presented,” Zubiri said.

(News update via RH Raymund Dadpaas)