Robert Barbers

Robert Zabala BarbersRecords from the Senate stated his middle name as Zabala;

His ancestors, the Barbieri clan, originally came from Sicily, Italy, with his grandfather being an American soldier. Meanwhile, the family's local roots are in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. His paternal uncle, retired police general James Barbers, was a Vice Mayor of Manila and superintendent of the Western Police District.

Barbers finished elementary (1955) and secondary education (1959, as valedictorian) in his hometown.

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. including Jose "Don Pepe" Oyson who was later killed by agents while being escorted to detention. He was also credited with the arrest of then military rebel Billy Bibit and communist leader Ignacio Capegsan, for which he was promoted.

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

Barbers was the principal author of a bill that aimed to strengthen the campaign against drug trafficking, which later became Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), the law repealing RA No. 6425 (Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972) and creating the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to be a member of and the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Barbers authored as well laws that giving more penalties against jueteng protectors and operators.

1998 and 2004 elections Barbers, a stalwart of the Lakas, 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. Both ran under the administration K-4 coalition. as Barbers was known to many, was married to Virginia Smith. They had four children—three sons, all also named Robert, and a daughter. the position which Robert had previously held. He also served as provincial governor 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 Dean, the youngest son, served as a councilor in Makati on Christmas Day 2005. 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".