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 servedas the representative of the second district of Surigao del Norte from 1998 to 2007 and again from 2016 to 2025. He previously served as well as provincial governor (2007–2010).[1]
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 districtrepresentative.[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]
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 provincial governor (2007–2010),later attempts in politics
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)
Aside from the POGO issue,Barbers is also critical of China in other issues;this includes China's enforcement of its own claims in the South China Sea dispute,its opposition to the Philippines building its military capability to counter China and potential Chinese espionage in the Philippines.[26][27] He allegedly has been a target of a troll farm sponsored by China.[28][29]
In October 2016,an ethics complaint was filed against Barbers by his political rival,Surigao del Sur1st 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]
In November 2024,the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XIII denounced fake news linking Barbers to a drug syndicate in connection to a law enforcement operation in Surigao City. On December 6,2024,Anonymous Surigao posted a spliced video which falsely portrayed Barbers "admitting" he is a drug lord.[31]
1234567Reyes–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.
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