PULITIKLAN › Mga pamilya › Surigao del Norte Barbers family of Surigao del Norte Former senator Robert Z. Barbers, his mother (a former vice governor), his three sons and a daughter-in-law have held the governorship and the 2nd-district House seat for most years since 1992.
6 documented relatives · 2 currently in public office · 7 documented relationships · Province of Surigao del Norte
In Surigao del Norte the family currently holds office through Robert Lyndon Smith Barbers (Governor of Surigao del Norte (2001-2007; 2022-present))
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How they are related Regina Zabala Barbers and Robert Zabala Barbers “Bobby” — Mother → sonBlood Evidence: The Philippine Star · Surigao awaits remains of favorite son · “Barbers’ mother, former Surigao del Norte vice governor Regina Barbers, and his sons Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers” Robert Zabala Barbers “Bobby” and Robert Lyndon Smith Barbers — Father → sonBlood Evidence: The Philippine Star · Surigao awaits remains of favorite son · “Barbers’ mother, former Surigao del Norte vice governor Regina Barbers, and his sons Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers” ; The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack Robert Zabala Barbers “Bobby” and Robert Ace Smith Barbers “Ace” — Father → sonBlood Evidence: The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack · “Robert Dean now heads the PTA while Robert Ace Barbers followed the political footsteps of his father in representing the second congressional district of Surigao del Norte.” ; The Philippine Star · Surigao awaits remains of favorite son Robert Zabala Barbers “Bobby” and Robert Dean Smith Barbers “Dean” — Father → sonBlood Evidence: The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack · “Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Robert Dean Barbers said his father died at 10:29 a.m. with all family members at his deathbed.” Robert Ace Smith Barbers “Ace” and Robert Lyndon Smith Barbers — BrothersBlood Evidence: MindaNews · Barbers brothers want Surigao Norte as EDCA site (read via Wayback) · “Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers and brother Governor Lyndon Barbers want their province to be an additional site under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.” ; MindaNews · 'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family (read via Wayback) Robert Ace Smith Barbers “Ace” and Bernadette Sison Barbers “Badette” — SpousesMarriage Evidence: MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · “Meanwhile, Barbers’ sister-in-law Bernadette, wife of third-term Rep. Ace Barbers, won the congressional race in the 2nd District, defeating lawyer Jun Egay with 123,091 votes to the latter’s 98,639.” ; PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces Robert Lyndon Smith Barbers and Bernadette Sison Barbers “Badette” — Brother-in-law → sister-in-lawIn-law Evidence: PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “Barbers’ sister-in-law, Bernadette, will replace her husband, Robert Ace, as second district representative.” ; MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) How this was researched Researched September 2026 against Comelec 2025 results. Every relationship is quoted from a published source; people who share a surname without a published statement of kinship are left out. Family relationships do not imply wrongdoing or political agreement.
Documented family networks; not a complete government or barangay roster. National offices are distinct from local offices.
Open the Barbers relationship map → Sources The Philippine Star · Surigao awaits remains of favorite son · 2005-12-27 The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack · 2005-12-26 MindaNews · 'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family (read via Wayback) · 2013-02-08 Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte · 2025-05 MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · 2025-05-14 PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces · 2025-05-22 The Philippine Star · Surigao awaits remains of favorite son · “Barbers’ mother, former Surigao del Norte vice governor Regina Barbers, and his sons Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers” · 2005-12-27 The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack · “Robert Dean now heads the PTA while Robert Ace Barbers followed the political footsteps of his father in representing the second congressional district of Surigao del Norte.” · 2005-12-26 The Philippine Star · Ailing Barbers dies of heart attack · “Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Robert Dean Barbers said his father died at 10:29 a.m. with all family members at his deathbed.” · 2005-12-26 MindaNews · Barbers brothers want Surigao Norte as EDCA site (read via Wayback) · “Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers and brother Governor Lyndon Barbers want their province to be an additional site under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.” · 2023-09-17 MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · “Meanwhile, Barbers’ sister-in-law Bernadette, wife of third-term Rep. Ace Barbers, won the congressional race in the 2nd District, defeating lawyer Jun Egay with 123,091 votes to the latter’s 98,639.” · 2025-05-14 PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “Barbers’ sister-in-law, Bernadette, will replace her husband, Robert Ace, as second district representative.” · 2025-05-22 Other families documented in Surigao del Norte Matugas Since 1992 the Siargao-based Matugas family has held the governorship, the 1st-district House seat, the Surigao City mayoralty and the mayoralties of Dapa, Del Carmen and General Luna. Romarate Tubod has been run by former three-term congressman Guillermo Romarate Jr. and his daughter Richelle, who swapped the mayor and vice mayor seats in 2025. Gokiangkee (Claver) In Claver the Gokiangkee brothers fought for the mayoralty through their wives in 2010; Georgia Gokiangkee is mayor again in 2025. Esma (Alegria) Brothers Dominador "Yoyoy" Esma Jr. and Rene "Reneboy" Esma hold Alegria's mayor and vice mayor seats and swapped them in 2025. Mondano (Mainit) Husband and wife Ramon and Crisanta Mondano swapped Mainit's mayor and vice mayor seats in 2025. All families and officials in Surigao del Norte →
