Ace Barbers

Barbers was born on May 31, 1969, in Manila, Philippines. He is the second of four siblings by Robert Barbers and Virginia Smith. 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). they have four sons. Family's political involvement 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, and died a year later. while another, Robert Dean, served as a councilor in Makati 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. At the time of Ace's re-election as congressman in 2022, Lyndon only regained his seat. ==Political career==

As district representative, first time (1998–2007) Barbers first served as the representative of the 2nd district of Surigao del Norte (the position previously held by his father) which later became the ruling Lakas party of the administration of Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo. until his resignation in 2005, reportedly to focus on his post-graduate studies at the University of the Philippines. 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. As provincial governor (2007–2010), later attempts in politics Barbers won for provincial governor of Surigao del Norte in 2007, but lost to Sol Forcadilla Matugas, retired regional director of the Department of Education – Caraga, in his re-election bid in 2010. Barbers has been a member of the Nacionalista Party since 2013, at that time he lost to incumbent second district representative Guillermo Romarate Jr., who later finished his third and last term. He has been the chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs. particularly reforms on economic provisions. Barbers, once a long-time ally of the Dutertes, was among those who supported the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the administration's drug war He also led another investigation on the Office of the Vice President. 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. He allegedly has been a target of a troll farm sponsored by China. ==Controversies==

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. 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. 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. ==References==