Ace Barbers (original) (raw)

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Filipino politician

Ace Barbers
Chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs
Incumbent
Assumed office July 25, 2016
Preceded by Vicente Belmonte Jr.
Member of the House of Representatives from Surigao del Norte's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2016
Preceded by Guillermo Romarate
In officeJune 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by Robert Barbers
Succeeded by Guillermo Romarate
Governor of Surigao del Norte
In officeJune 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Vice Governor Arturo Egay
Preceded by Robert Lyndon Barbers
Succeeded by Sol Matugas
Personal details
Born Robert Ace Smith Barbers (1969-05-31) May 31, 1969 (age 55)Manila, Philippines
Nationality Philippines
Political party Nacionalista (2009–present)
Other politicalaffiliations Lakas–CMD (1997–2009)
Spouse Bernadette Sison
Children Robert King BarbersRobert Jack BarbersRobert Ace Barbers, Jr.Robert Spade Barbers
Alma mater De La Salle University (AB) University of the Philippines (MPA)
Profession Politician

Robert Ace Smith Barbers (usually stylized as Robert "Ace" Barbers), (born May 31, 1969) or also known simply as Ace Barbers, is a Filipino politician. The son of former senator Robert Barbers, he is currently serving as the representative of the second district of Surigao del Norte (1998–2007 and since 2016). He previously served as well as provincial governor (2007–2010).[1]

Early and personal life

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Barbers was born on May 31, 1969, in Manila, Philippines. He is the second of four siblings by Robert Barbers and Virginia Smith.[2]

Barbers was a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in political science, Minor in Economics at the De La Salle University (1987–1990), and became a holder of Master's degree in Public Administration and Governance at the University of the Philippines (2000–2003).[3]

Barbers has been married to Bernadette Sison since 1991;[4] they have four sons.[3][5]

Family's political involvement

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Barbers came from a political clan in Surigao del Norte where his father was a Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and served in the Congress until 2004,[6] and died a year later.[7] His brother, Robert Lyndon, has been serving as provincial governor;[6][8][9] while another, Robert Dean, served as a councilor in Makati[6][10] and held cabinet positions during the Arroyo administration,[6] being named officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism[10] and general manager and CEO of the Philippine Tourism Authority.[8]

The family lost their political control in 2010 when the Matugases won the key positions in the province.[10] While Ace lost in his re-election bid for provincial governor, his two brothers were likewise defeated: Lyndon, who ran for Surigao City mayor; and Dean, for Makati 1st district representative.[8] At the time of Ace's re-election as congressman in 2022, Lyndon only regained his seat.[9]

For the 2025 elections, Lyndon filed his candidacy for second gubernatorial term. Meanwhile, Ace's wife, Bernadette, is seeking to succeed her husband as district representative.[11]

As district representative, first time (1998–2007)

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Barbers first served as the representative of the 2nd district of Surigao del Norte (the position previously held by his father)[6] from 1998 to 2007.[3] During his term, he belonged to the Lakas–NUCD of former president Fidel V. Ramos,[12] which later became the ruling Lakas party of the administration of Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo.[13] During the House speakership of Jose de Venecia Jr., Barbers was the chairperson of the accounts committee[14] until his resignation in 2005, reportedly to focus on his post-graduate studies at the University of the Philippines.[13]

It was during Barbers' term when he and his father, then-senator Robert, authored the Comprehensive Drugs Bill of 2002.[3] He was among those who voted against president Arroyo's controversial proposal to increase the value-added tax from 10–12 percent.[13]

Barbers was also known being a member of the so-called "Spice Boys" who called for the impeachment of then-president Joseph Estrada. On the other hand, he signed the unsuccessful impeachment complaint against Arroyo.[7]

As provinicial governor (2007–2010), later attempts in politics

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Barbers won for provincial governor of Surigao del Norte in 2007,[1][15] but lost to Sol Folcadilla Matugas, retired regional director of the Department of Education – Caraga,[16] in his re-election bid in 2010.[17]

Barbers has been a member of the Nacionalista Party[18][19] since 2013,[20] at that time he lost to incumbent second district representative Guillermo Romarate Jr., who later finished his third and last term.[7]

As district representative, second time (since 2016)

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Barbers eventually regained the seat in 2016;[1][3][7] he is currently serving his third consecutive term—the sixth overall.[21] He has been the chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.[3][22][23]

In his tenure in the lower house, Barbers has been supporting charter change,[14][24] particularly reforms on economic provisions.[22]

Relationship with the Dutertes

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Barbers, once a long-time ally of the Dutertes, was among those who supported the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the administration's drug war[3] and anti-criminality stance; and even sought the revival of the death penalty for drug-related offenses. Meanwhile in 2019, his local party Abante Surigao formed an alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago of then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, whose successful candidacy for vice president was endorsed by him in 2022.[23]

However in late 2024, Barbers led the House Quad Committee Investigation, an inquiry on issues involving the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and other allegations during the Duterte administration.[25] He also led another investigation on the Office of the Vice President.[23]

Barbers was among more than a hundred legislators mentioned in the 2013 special audit report on the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund to non-governmental organizations during his governorship, from 2007 to 2009.[26]

In October 2016, an ethics complaint was filed against Barbers by his political rival, Surigao del Sur 1st district representative Prospero Pichay Jr., for his "disorderly behavior" in relation to a confrontation when the two fought with each other after a heated exchange during a discussion on charter change in the meeting of the House constitutional amendments panel.[18]

The following month, Barbers filed an ethics complaint against Pichay, whom he accused of theft and graft, due to the alleged illegal mining activities of the latter's company.[18]

  1. ^ a b c Crismundo Barbers, Mike (May 15, 2016). "Barbers rises again in Surigao del Norte politics". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Pressreader.
  2. ^ "What could wipe out political dynasties?". ABS-CBN Corporation. June 1, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Reyes–Aguila, Joyce (August–September 2018). "The Equalizer". The LEAGUE Magazine. Quezon City: The League Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 80–85. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (December 31, 2022). "Barbers gets wacky in anniversary selfie". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Go, Bernadette Patricia Darlene (September 30, 2001). "The Cutest Guys in Government". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e Multiple citations:
  7. ^ a b c d Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (October 20, 2016). "Political rift may be behind Barbers-Pichay spat". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Tiongson–Mayrina, Karen (July 20, 2010). "How dynasties fared in the May 2010 elections (part 2 of 3)". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Arguillas, Carolyn (July 15, 2022). "Special Report: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: fat and obese dynasties rule (part 3 of 3)". MindaNews. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Almeda, Vanessa (February 8, 2013). "'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family". MindaNews. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Lopez, Alexander (October 9, 2024). "4 Caraga governors seek reelection in 2025 polls". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Citations:
  1. ^ a b c Diaz, Jess (April 12, 2005). "Escudero: Barbers welcome in opposition". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b La Viña, Antonio; et al. (2012). "Charter Change under Arroyo: Sigaw ng Bayan, the Cry of the People?". The 1987 Constitution: To change or not to change?. Quezon City: Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-971-27-2908-9. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Guanzon, Alvin (May 23, 2007). "Barbers seeks probe of alleged fraud in 2 Surigao towns". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Catoto, Roel (November 8, 2021). "Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan"". MindaNews. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Serrano, Ben (May 22, 2012). "Surigao Norte gov's 2010 poll victory upheld". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Cepeda, Mara (December 22, 2016). "House of Representatives: 10 biggest moments in 2016". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Panganiban, Chris (October 10, 2021). "Same old foes: Barbers vs Matugas in Surigao Norte polls". MindaNews. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Almeda, Vanessa (April 8, 2013). "Lyndon Barbers not withdrawing; brother Ace reconsidering". MindaNews. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Lopez, Alexander (May 12, 2022). "Comelec proclaims winning candidates in Caraga". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Cervantes, Filane Mikee; de Layola, Zaldy (December 20, 2023). "Solon: Time to change Charter to make it responsive to economic needs". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Maderazo, Jake (October 4, 2024). "Sharp Edges — Ace Barbers Abandons Dutertes for Cabinet Post". Inquirer.net. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Porcalla, Delon; Echeminada, Perseus (December 2, 2006). "Sigaw draws up list of senatorial bets for 2007 elections". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "LIVE: Fifth House quadcom hearing on POGOs, illegal drug trade crimes". PhilstarLIVE. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (June 1, 2016). "48 lawmakers in PDAF-COA audit report win in 2016 elections". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2024.