VILLAR ON EMERGENCY POWERS:

"We should go slow and exercise caution on (the exercise of) special powers (by the President) because this can be used in an obstructive manner."

"The President is armed with sufficient powers to help alleviate the lives of the poor, while we in the Senate are willing to cooperate with the executive, the way we passed priority bills."

"We can discuss and agree on what is needed without having to exercise emergency powers which is not good for a democracy."