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Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Surigao awaits Barbers remains
By Ben Serrano
Caraga correspondent
SURIGAO CITY -- Mixed feelings of disbelief and shock were felt by Surigaonons when reports reached them about the sudden demise of their favorite son, former senator Robert Zabala Barbers who passed away due to heart illness at a hospital in Manila Sunday morning.
Hurt most are the loyal political allies, supporters, local leaders, and officials who supported the fallen Surigaonon senator all throughout his political career through thick and thin.
Fellow administration party official and close ally, Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that he and the entire officialdom of the City of Surigao were saddened upon learning the former senator's death.
"We are all mourning of Senator Barbers' death", Casurra said, who like Barbers served the City Council before becoming City Mayor of the second biggest city of Caraga Region.
Local political foes here were also shocked on the information about the passing away of what they described as "worthy political opponent."
They also extend condolences to the bereaved family of one of the most influential political leader not only in Suirgao but also in Caraga Region and Mindanao as well.
One of Barbers' closest political rival, former Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas could only "sigh" in disbelief upon learning the former senator's death.
Colorful
Casurra said the city is preparing for the return of the former senator's remains on December 30 from Manila.
"We are preparing to pass a resolution expressing our grief and condolences to the family," he said.
Barbers' immediate kin--his mother, former Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Regina Barbers, Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers and Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers--has left Surigao del Norte to Manila the other day.
His father is retired Judge Felix Barbers, brother of former WPD Superintendent James Barbers.
The former senator political career is colorful and full of struggle. He started in public service as City Councilor of Surigao then ran for Congress but lost.
He again ran in 1992 and won in a hotly contested congressional seat of the second district of Surigao del Norte. He was then undefeated until he ran for Senator in 1998 and won.
Difficulty
Barbers served as Department of Interior and Local Government secretary in 1996 under President Fidel Ramos after a successful career as a policeman.
Robert Dean, Philippine Tourism Authority general manager, said his father was brought to the hospital around 5 a.m. on Saturday after experiencing difficulty in breathing.
He said his father was ready to be discharged from the hospital when he again felt a pain in his chest, and things took a turn for the worse.
The 61-year-old former senator had a throat cancer years ago and underwent surgery in the United States. The cancer was successfully treated and did not recur.
Thousands of Surigaonons here are now eager to take a last glimpse of the late senator whose father traced his roots from Ilocos Sur while his mother from the Zabala clan, a Cebuana.
(December 27, 2005 issue)
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