THE Barbers political clan has successfully retained its grip on Surigao del Norte, decisively fending off a final push by rivals to unseat them from key provincial positions in the 2025 midterm elections.
Incumbent SDN Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers and Rep. Bernadette Barbers, wife of outgoing Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, were proclaimed as winners by the Commission on Elections Provincial Board of Canvassers on May 13, 2025, a day after the conclusion of the 2025 Mid-term elections.
Both Robert Lyndon and Bernadette have expressed their heartfelt thanks for the support extended them by the people of Surigao del Norte, majority of whom were long-time supporters of the clan since the late 90s, starting from the late Sen. Robert “Bobby” Barbers, who also served as SDN Congressman and Interior and Local Government Secretary.
Based on reports culled from ABS CBN’s Halalan 2025 countdown, (as of 12:21 pm, May 15, 2025) Robert Lyndon garnered a total of 173,037 votes taking a lead of 5,803 votes over his rival Bingo Matugas’ for the gubernatorial post 167,234 votes.
Bernadette Barbers, on the other hand, garnered 123,091 votes and dumped by 24,042 votes her rival Jun Jun Egay who only obtained a total of 98,639 votes.
The Barbers’ partymate and incumbent Surigao City Mayor Paul Dumlao also dumped his rival Nitoy Matugas by 24,096 votes, garnering only 33,304 votes.
Outgoing and three-termer Congressman Robert Ace Barbers, had worked overtime, used his power and influence over his kababayan’s (provincemates) not to be swayed by the empty political promises of their rivals in the province.
“Despite our wins, I am convinced that something still happened along the way in the electoral processes in the province, that there is some sort of an anomaly which I am still trying to find out or figure out. Why? Because we all were expecting huge leads in the number of votes over our rivals in the mainland Surigao del Norte,” he said.
“And we also put up a good fight over towns in Siargao Island despite knowing the place is our rival’s bailiwick,” he added.
Robert Lyndon, Bernadette and Robert Ace said they all thanked God for their triumph, and vowed to do all their best for good governance of the province. (30)
