Ace Barbers Abandons Dutertes for Cabinet Post

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers, once a loyal supporter of the Duterte political dynasty and best friend of Vice President Sarah Duterte, is shifting his political alliances in pursuit of a high-profile cabinet position following the imminent resignation of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who will run for the Senate in the 2025 elections.

Barbers, a long-time Duterte ally, is reportedly ready to be the next Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), distancing himself from his former backers in the process.

Barbers has long been known for his ties to the Dutertes, particularly Vice President Sara Duterte, whom he publicly supported during her 2022 vice-presidential campaign. However, his recent actions, including a congressional investigation targeting Vice President Duterte’s office, suggest that the congressman is now seeking to align himself with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, after his term in Congress ends in 2025.

From Ally to Adversary

Barbers’s shift in political loyalty is notable given his long history with the Duterte family. During the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, Barbers was an outspoken advocate of Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, and played a key role in legislative efforts to revive the death penalty for drug-related offenses, in line with the Duterte administration’s tough-on-crime stance.

Shortly after the 2022 Elections, Barbers also sought the support of VP Sara Duterte for various local initiatives in Surigao del Norte. One notable example was his request for OVP to open a satellite office in Surigao del Norte. In July of 2023, Barbers secured rent-free space for the satellite office in a building owned by the Provincial Government, a benefit granted through a Sangguniang Panlalawigan ordinance.  This arrangement, facilitated by his brother, Governor Lyndon Barbers, was widely seen as testament to the strong alliance between the Barbers and Duterte families. Prior to this, the Barbers brothers invited the Vice President to Surigao City as Guest of Honor during the Provincial Barangay Health Workers Convention on May 12, 2023.

The Barbers political dynasty’s party, known locally as “Abante Surigao,” formed a strategic alliance with Vice President Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in April 2019. This partnership was part of a broader effort by HNP to solidify alliances with various regional and national political parties across the country. The alliance between Abante Surigao and HNP was seen as a significant political move, which helped both groups maintain influence in Surigao del Norte and beyond.

As of press time, no official reports have indicated any change or dissolution of this alliance.
However, political observers believe Barbers began distancing himself earlier this year when he led a congressional inquiry that linked the Duterte administration to irregularities and illegal activities within the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) The investigation, which revealed alleged connections between key officials and the mismanagement of the industry, raised questions about Barbers’s motivations. Analysts speculate that his actions aimed to undermine the Duterte administration’s legacy, particularly diminishing Vice President Sara Duterte’s political influence.

The DILG Ambition

The imminent resignation of Secretary Benhur Abalos from the DILG presents a golden opportunity for Barbers to realize his long-standing ambition of securing a cabinet post. Abalos, who will step down to prepare for his Senate bid in 2025, leaves a critical vacancy in the Marcos administration.
The DILG portfolio is one of the most powerful in government, overseeing local governments and national law enforcement, including the Philippine National Police. Barbers, leveraging his being Chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs leading the Quad Committee Investigation of the House of Representatives on POGO issues, is a contender for the role. He is reportedly seeking to curry favor with key figures in the Marcos administration, —including his inquiry into Duterte-era irregularities—as part of a broader strategy to secure the coveted DILG position.

Barbers has yet to confirm whether he is actively seeking the post, but insiders suggest that his recent actions—especially his break with the Dutertes—indicating a strategic move to align himself with the Marcos administration.

Political Maneuvering or Pragmatic Strategy?

Barbers’s pivot has surprised many in political circles. In previous years, he was a vocal advocate for both Rodrigo and Sara Duterte, frequently expressing his support for their policies and leadership styles. In a 2017 interview, Barbers praised President Duterte’s leadership, calling it “decisive” and “what the country needs to move forward.” He was similarly enthusiastic in his endorsement of Sara Duterte’s vice-presidential bid in 2022, describing her as “the best choice for continuity.”
Moreover, the Barbers family’s relationship with the Dutertes extended to local governance.
However, the tide seems to have shifted in recent months.. Some political analysts believe that Barbers’s break with the Dutertes is not just about ambition but about survival, as he seeks to secure his relevance in the shifting political landscape.

Eyeing a New Political Horizon

With the filing of certificates of candidacy this coming Tuesday, the battle lines are being drawn, and Barbers’s political trajectory is becoming clearer. The resignation of Secretary Abalos offers him an opening to step into a key cabinet role, which would provide him with a powerful platform and potentially elevate his standing in national politics.

For now, Barbers remains tight-lipped about his ambitions, but whether he secures the DILG post or not, one thing is clear: Ace Barbers is no longer betting on the Duterte family. Instead, he is charting a new political course, one that aligns him more closely with the Marcos administration.

As Barbers moves forward, his past loyalties and alliances are being redefined. The question now is whether his calculated distancing from the Dutertes will pay off with a coveted cabinet post or this will alienate the Duterte supporters who once saw him as a staunch ally.