Robert Barbers

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Zabala and the surname or paternal family name is Barbers.

The Honourable Robert Z. Barbers
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
16th Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
In office April 16, 1996 – February 3, 1998
President	Fidel V. Ramos
Preceded by	Rafael Alunan III
Succeeded by	Epimaco Velasco
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Surigao del Norte's 2nd district
In office June 30, 1992 – April 15, 1996
Preceded by	Constantino Navarro
Succeeded by	Ace Barbers
Personal details
Born	Robert Zabala Barbers (1944-01-19)January 19, 1944 Surigao, Surigao, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Died	December 25, 2005(2005-12-25) (aged 61) Pasig, Philippines
Resting place	Manila Memorial Park – Sucat
Political party	Lakas–CMD
Spouse	Virginia Smith
Children	with Smith: 4, including Ace out of wedlock: 4
Residence	Surigao City
Alma mater	Silliman University Lyceum of the Philippines University (BA, LL.B) National Defense College of the Philippines (MS, MNSA)
Occupation	Politician, police officer
Profession	Lawyer
Nickname	Bobby
Police career
Allegiance	Philippines
Department	Philippine Constabulary Integrated National Police
Branch	Western Police District
Rank	Police Colonel

Robert Zabala Barbers (January 19, 1944 – December 25, 2005) was a police officer, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and Senator of the Philippines.

Early life and education

Barbers was born on January 19, 1944, in the then-town of Surigao in Surigao del Norte, to Felix and Regina Barbers. His paternal grandfather, George Barbieri (later Barbers), was an Italian-American immigrant from the Spanish–American War who married a Surigaonon woman. Robert Barbers studied at Surigao Elementary School and finished in 1955. He graduated as valedictorian at Surigao High School in 1959.

While serving as a police officer, he studied AB Political Science at the University of the Philippines and Silliman University but completed his degree in 1981 at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, where he also earned his Bachelor of Laws in 1985.

He later went on to earn Master of Science degrees in criminology (Metro Manila College) and in national security administration (National Defense College) in 1992 and 1994, respectively.

Police career

He spent 27 years as a police officer in Manila. He started in 1962 as a patrolman. His highest rank achieved as a member of the police force was colonel. He also served as chief of the Police Special Task Force of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and inspector of the National Police Commission.

He participated in "the elimination of several notorious drug traffickers" while under the auspices of the NBI, which was then headed by Alfredo Lim. He was credited with the arrest of suspected drug lord Jose "Don Pepe" Oyson (who was later killed by NBI agents), then military rebel Billy Bibit, and communist leader Ignacio Capegsan, for which he was promoted.

Political career

As district representative

Barbers entered politics in 1992 as representative of the 2nd district of Surigao del Norte. He was re-elected in 1995.

Secretary of Interior and Local Government

Barbers' second term in the 10th Congress was cut short when he became part of the cabinet of president Fidel Ramos, who appointed him as secretary of the interior and local government in 1996.

As senator

Barbers first ran for senator in 1998, where he placed fifth, becoming the first police officer to hold such electoral position.

Barbers, who headed the committee on public order and illegal drugs, was noted still being active in law enforcement in his term. He authored laws focusing on the fight against criminality. He was the first to file an anti-terrorism bill in the Senate.

Barbers authored the law creating the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as laws that giving more penalties against jueteng protectors and operators and strengthening the campaign against drugs.

He was an advocate of death penalty for heinous crimes.

1998 and 2004 elections

Barbers, a stalwart of the Lakas–CMD party, was twice considered as running mate to then presidential candidates, Jose de Venecia Jr. in 1998 and incumbent Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo in 2004. He was later convinced to give way to Arroyo and to then senator Noli de Castro, respectively. (De Venecia was defeated by Joseph Estrada; Arroyo won and later ascended to the presidency, replacing Estrada who was then ousted.)

In 2004, Barbers ran for re-election under the ruling party, but lost in the twelfth spot to incumbent Rodolfo Biazon. Both ran under the administration K-4 coalition. He later filed an election protest against Biazon to contest the slot, accusing the Commission on Elections of hastily proclaiming the latter's victory and demanding the awaiting of the results in his strongholds in Mindanao. However, his petition was denied.

His name was mentioned in the controversial "Hello Garci" tapes, whose transcripts showed him calling then election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to ensure his victory.

Personal life

Bobby, as Barbers was known to many, was married to Virginia Smith. They had four children—three sons, all also named Robert, and a daughter.

• Robert Ace is currently serving his sixth term as the representative of the second district of Surigao del Norte, the position which Robert had previously held. He also served as provincial governor of Surigao del Norte until 2010 when he lost in his re-election bid; at that time the family's political control in the province ended with the defeat of his two brothers as well.
• Robert Lyndon, the eldest, who is currently serving as provincial governor, previously held the same position within two terms. He was one of the directors of the Department of Tourism (DOT). In 2010, he ran for Surigao City mayor but lost.
• Robert Dean, served as a councilor in Makati and held cabinet positions during the Arroyo administration, being named officer-in-charge of the DOT and general manager and CEO of the Philippine Tourism Authority. In 2010, he ran for Makati 1st district representative, but lost.
• The only daughter, the youngest, worked with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Barbers was a pious devotee of the Santo Niño, as evidenced by the various icons of the child Christ which adorned his office. He credited the Santo Niño for every success, including the criminal cases he had solved and all his electoral victories. Because of his devotion to the child Christ, and for being a law enforcer, Barbers came up with a Santo Niño image dressed in police uniform, which came to be known as the Sto. Niño de Policia.

Later life and death

Barbers, who had suffered throat cancer, underwent surgery in November 2000.

In July 2005, Barbers left for the United States (for the last time) for a medical checkup. In early December, he was confined at The Medical City hospital in Pasig for a week. His condition later deteriorated until Christmas Eve, when he was rushed to the same hospital due to difficulty on breathing.

Barbers died at 10:29 a.m., on Christmas Day, 2005, due to heart failure. He was buried at the Manila Memorial Park – Sucat in Parañaque.

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Phillip Salvador in the 1997 film Bobby Barbers: Parak.
• Portrayed by Zandro Zamora in the 1994 film "Col. Billy Bibit, RAM".

External links

• Barbers at war
• Senate of the Philippines
• Demise of Ex-Sen. Barbers News Article