Ace Barbers | |
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Chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs | |
Assumed office July 25, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Vicente Belmonte Jr. |
Member of the House of Representatives from Surigao del Norte's 2nd district | |
Assumed office June 30, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Guillermo Romarate |
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Robert Barbers |
Succeeded by | Guillermo Romarate |
Governor of Surigao del Norte | |
In office June 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 May 31, 1969 Manila, Philippines |
Nationality | ![]() |
Political party | Nacionalista (2009–present) |
Other political affiliations | Lakas–CMD (1997–2009) |
Spouse | Bernadette Sison |
Children | Robert King Barbers Robert Jack Barbers Robert 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
[edit]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 four sons.[3]
Family's political involvement
[edit]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,[4] and died a year later.[5] His brother, Robert Lyndon, has been serving as provincial governor;[4][6][7] while another, Robert Dean, served as a councilor in Makati[4][8] and held cabinet positions during the Arroyo administration,[4] being named officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism[8] and general manager and CEO of the Philippine Tourism Authority.[6]
The family lost their political control in 2010 when the Matugases won the key positions in the province.[8] 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.[6] At the time of Ace's re-election as congressman in 2022, Lyndon only regained his seat.[7]
Political career
[edit]As district representative, first time (1998–2007)
[edit]Barbers first served as the representative of the 2nd district of Surigao del Norte (the position previously held by his father)[4] from 1998 to 2007.[3] During his term, he belonged to the Lakas–NUCD of former president Fidel V. Ramos,[9] which later became the ruling Lakas party of the administration of Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo.[10] During the House speakership of Jose de Venecia Jr., Barbers was the chairperson of the accounts committee[11] until his resignation in 2005, reportedly to focus on his post-graduate studies at the University of the Philippines.[10]
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.[10]
Barbers was 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.[5]
As provinicial governor (2007–2010), later attempts in politics
[edit]Barbers won for provincial governor of Surigao del Norte in 2007,[1][12] but lost to Sol Folcadilla Matugas, retired regional director of the Department of Education – Caraga,[13] in his re-election bid in 2010.[14]
Barbers has been a member of the Nacionalista Party[15][16] since 2013,[17] at that time he lost to incumbent second district representative Guillermo Romarate Jr., who later finished his third and last term.[5]
As district representative, second time (since 2016)
[edit]Barbers eventually regained the seat in 2016;[1][3][5] he is currently serving his third consecutive term—the sixth overall.[18] He has been the chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs,[3][19] and was among those who supported the drug war of the Duterte administration.[3]
In his tenure in the lower house, Barbers has been supporting charter change,[11][20] particularly reforms on economic provisions.[19]
Controversies
[edit]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.[21]
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.[15]
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.[15]
Work history
[edit]- 1990-1997: President, Vintage Specialist Philippine Village Hotel
- 1995-1997: Director of Marketing Philippine Village Hotel
- 1994-1995: Director for Sales Philippine Village Hotel
- 1993-1994: Associates Dir. For Sales Philippine Village Hotel
- 1992-1992: Sales and Account Manager Philippine Village Hotel
- 1991-1992: Account Executive Philippine Village Hotel
Membership
[edit]- Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity, University of the Philippines Diliman - Member
- Knights of Columbus, St. Andrew Council - Treasurer
- Hotel Sales Marketing Association - Member
- Political Science Society, DLSU - Member
- AISEC Philippines - Member
- Rotary Civic Action Club - Member
- Couples for Christ, Quezon City - Member
- Parish Renewal Experience, St. Andrew Parish - Member
- Surigaonon Association, Inc. Manila Chapter External - Vice-President
- Suriguenos, Inc. Committee on Livelihood Chairman
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "What could wipe out political dynasties?". ABS-CBN Corporation. June 1, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e Multiple citations:
- Muego, Benjamin (2005). "The Philippines in 2004: A Gathering Storm". In Singh, Daljit (ed.). Southeast Asian Affairs 2005 (paperback). Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 310. ISBN 978-981-230-306-6. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- Muego, Benjamin (2005). "The Philippines in 2004: A Gathering Storm". In Singh, Daljit (ed.). Southeast Asian Affairs 2005 (ebook). Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 978-981-4517-15-7. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (October 20, 2016). "Political rift may be behind Barbers-Pichay spat". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Almeda, Vanessa (February 8, 2013). "'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family". MindaNews. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Citations:
- "G.R. 13569 (September 27, 1999)". Official Gazette (volume 97). Manila: Government of the Philippines. February 19, 2001. pp. 1194–1203. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- "List of candidates (House of Representatives, Metro Manila and provinces)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati. May 13, 2001. pp. A26, A30–A31. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Diaz, Jess (April 12, 2005). "Escudero: Barbers welcome in opposition". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Guanzon, Alvin (May 23, 2007). "Barbers seeks probe of alleged fraud in 2 Surigao towns". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Catoto, Roel (November 8, 2021). "Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan"". MindaNews. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Serrano, Ben (May 22, 2012). "Surigao Norte gov's 2010 poll victory upheld". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Cepeda, Mara (December 22, 2016). "House of Representatives: 10 biggest moments in 2016". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Panganiban, Chris (October 10, 2021). "Same old foes: Barbers vs Matugas in Surigao Norte polls". MindaNews. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Almeda, Vanessa (April 8, 2013). "Lyndon Barbers not withdrawing; brother Ace reconsidering". MindaNews. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Lopez, Alexander (May 12, 2022). "Comelec proclaims winning candidates in Caraga". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Porcalla, Delon; Echeminada, Perseus (December 2, 2006). "Sigaw draws up list of senatorial bets for 2007 elections". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (June 1, 2016). "48 lawmakers in PDAF-COA audit report win in 2016 elections". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2024.