Ace Barbers
Ace Barbers | |
---|---|
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 | Philippines |
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 and the son of Robert Barbers.[1]
Early and personal life[edit]
Robert Ace Smith 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, 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–UMDP 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] but lost to Sol Folcadilla Matugas in his re-election bid in 2010.[12]
In 2013, Barbers, ran under the Nacionalista Party,[13] 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;[3][5] he is currently serving his third consecutive term—the sixth overall.[14] He has been the chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs,[3][15] and was among those who supported the drug war of the Duterte administration.[3] He has been supporting charter change,[11] particularly reforms on economic provisions.[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 Crismundo Barbers, Mike U. (15 May 2016). "Barbers rises again in Surigao del Norte politics". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "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. 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. 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Serrano, Ben (May 22, 2012). "Surigao Norte gov's 2010 poll victory upheld". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 30, 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.