Robert Barbers

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Robert Zabala Barbers (January 19, 1944-December 25, 2005) is a politician, former police officer and Secretary of Interior, Local Government and most recently Senator of the Philippines.

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[edit] Early life and studies

Barbers was born in Surigao City to Felix and Regina Barbers. His grandfather, George Barbieri, later Barbers, was an Italian-American immigrant from the Spanish-American War who married an Ilocana. Barbers studied his elementary studies at the Surigao Elementary School and graduated in 1955. In 1959, He finished high school as valedictorian in Surigao High School. He graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Political Science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in 1981. He earned his Bachelor of Laws in Lyceum in 1985.

He pursued higher studies and earned a degree of Master of Science in Criminology at the Metro Manila College in 1992. He also earned the degree of Master of Science in National Security Administration at the National Defense College in 1994.

[edit] Police career

Barbers was encouraged by his uncle, Police General and former Vice mayor of Manila, James Barbers, who was then with the PNP-Western Police District to join the police force. He was also influenced by his readings of various mystery-detective novels. He took and topped the examinations for enlistment in the Manila Police Department. In 1975, he was a police sergeant, assigned ins some chartered cities. He then became a Police officer II in 1981 and was promoted to Police officer I in 1983.

As a patrolman, Barbers rose from the ranks of the Police Service and came to be known as one of Manila’s finest police officers. As a matter of fact, busting crooks and solving criminal cases has gained for him numerous awards and commendations during his 27 years as a law enforcer.

His list of accomplishments as a police officer is certainly impressive: adjudged for three consecutive years as one of the Ten Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines (TOPP) from 1986 to 1998; 16 efficiency medals for solving major and sensational crimes; spot promotions for the arrest of drug lord Don Jose Pepe Oyson and rebel leaders Col. Billy Bibit and Ignacio Capegsan; medals of merit and gallantry and commendations and letters from the U.S. State Department and various embassies; and he was the first and only Filipino Golden Service Awardee for Outstanding Law Enforcer in Asia given in New York in 1991.

[edit] Congressman

Barbers formally entered the political arena in 1992 as a member of the House of Representatives. At the early stage of his political career, the then Representative of the 2nd District of Surigao del Norte was recognized and acclaimed for his outstanding performance as a legislator by various institutions and organizations, including the Consumer Welfare Foundation of the Philippines, University of the Philippines, Gladiator Magazine, Pilipino Newsline, the Consumer’s Union of the Philippines (PICC) and the National Defense College of the Philippines, of which he is an alumnus. The Mindanao solon was so loved, respected and trusted by his constituents that they re-elected him in 1995 unopposed.

[edit] Secretary of Interior and Local Government

Barbers' second term was cut short when he was appointed by then President Fidel Ramos as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

As a member of the Cabinet, Barbers remained just as active in his campaign against criminality, with his founding of the Public Assistance and Reaction Against Crime (PARAC). It was also during his stint as Interior Chief that he intensified his campaign against illegal drugs. He established the Bring-A-Friend Project, which worked for the voluntary submission of drug dependents for rehabilitation. It was also during his time as DILG Secretary when he founded the Barangay at Pulisya Laban sa Krimen (BPLK) Program whose main purpose was to enlist the cooperation and active participation of the civilian populace in the fight against all forms of criminality.

Moreover, Barbers added another feature to his cap when he was named by the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey as the most effective, most efficient and most popular Cabinet members of the Ramos administration for five consecutive times.

[edit] Senator

Barbers was encouraged by Ramos to run in the 1998 elections as a Senator under the Lakas NUCD Party. At the campaign period, Barbers was already deemed as one of the “sure win” candidates for the Senate. True enough, the Mindanao solon ranked fifth among the elected Senators and became the first and, thus far, the only Police officer who became a member of the Upper Chamber of Congress.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Barbers continues to be a staunch crusader against all forms of criminality, injustice and illegal drugs, which he considers as the No. 1 enemy of the Filipino people. He has authored more than a hundred bills and resolutions, majority of which are aimed at improving peace and order situation and uplifting the living conditions of the Filipinos.

Barbers was diagnosed and flown to the United States in November 2000 due to his problem with his throat. He was the lone senator absent during the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada. When he returned to the Philippines in February 2001, the impeachent trial was over and Estrada was ousted through the second EDSA People Power Revolution.

After the 2001 elections, Barbers authored the law creating the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. He was instrumental in the crafting of other laws that increased penalties for "jueteng" protectors and operators and strengthened the anti-drugs campaign, such as including possession of 10 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) as a nonbailable offense.

He was a strong advocate of the death penalty for capital offenders.

[edit] 2004 elections

In the 2004 elections, Barbers ran for reelection as senator under the Lakas CMD slate, but lost.

He filed an election protest against Senator Rodolfo Biazon to contest the 12th slot, accusing the Commission on Elections of haste in proclaiming the latter's victory and demanding that the poll body await the election results in his strongholds in Mindanao. But his petition was denied.

Barbers' name was also mentioned in the controversial "Hello Garci" tapes. Transcripts of the tapes showed Barbers purportedly calling then Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to ensure his victory in the 2004 elections.

[edit] Personal life

Bobby, as many people called him, is married to Virginia Smith. They have four children, three of whom are sons also named Robert who have also entered public service. Robert Ace is a congressman representing the 2nd District of Surigao del Norte. Robert Dean is the Director of the Philippine Tourism Authority and was once a city councilor of Makati. Robert Lyndon is the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Norte. Mary Grace manages the family business in various locations in Mindanao.

Barbers made it a point to personally meet and hear the problems of each visitor. He was also a pious devotee of the Santo Niño, as evidenced by the various icons of the Christ child 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 Christ child, and 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.

Barbers was twice considered for the position of vice president in the ticket of then presidential candidate De Venecia in 1998, and again in 2001 after Arroyo considered him following her ascension to the presidency after the ouster of Joseph Estrada.

Barbers died on 10:29 a.m., Christmas Day, 2005, of cardiac arrest at the Medical City hospital in Pasig City at the age of 61. He was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

Many speculate that months before his death, he was in deep depression regarding President Gloria Arroyo due to his loss at election-time.

However, despite the fact that he is already dead, his name is still being flaunted by administration pundits as a possible candidate for senator in the forthcoming 2007 elections, apparently as payback to Biazon.[citation needed] Only a few people know that he has passed away anyway.[citation needed]

[edit] External links

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