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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cha-cha brouhaha not enough to drive wedge between 'Spice Boys' Barbers, Zubiri 

Cha-cha brouhaha not enough to drive wedge between 'Spice Boys' Barbers, Zubiri 

Published Feb 7, 2024 11:09 am

At A Glance

  • "Spice Boys" Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri have no ill feelings toward each other despite the continuing word war between House members and senators on the topic of Charter change (Cha-cha).

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Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (left), Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All is well with the "Spice Boys" despite the spicy comments of House members and senators about each other on the topic of Charter change (Cha-cha). 

Thus, said Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers in a chance Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 7. 

Of the Spice Boys of years past, only Barbers and Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri have maintained their respective positions in Philippine Congress, where they first gained fame. 

The Cha-cha effort--which the House of Representatives and Senate have been butting heads over the past few weeks---have placed the two on opposing paths: Barbers is on the side of those pushing for constitutional amendments, while Zubiri is among those reluctant about the subject. 

"Wala [kaming lamat ni Migz]. Solid pa rin kami (Migz and I don't have any issues. We're still solid)," Barbers said. 

"Pero 'Old Spice' na kami (But you can call us 'Old Spice' now)," joked the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairman. 

Barbers shared that in one of his casual conversations with Zubiri, he assured the latter that abolishing the Senate wasn't part of the House's motivations for pursuing Cha-cha. The aim is to tweak the 1987 Constitution's restrictive economic provisions, the Surigao del Norte solon said. 

A few weeks ago, Barbers delivered a privilege speech wherein he blasted certain senators for "hallucinating" that the House was pursuing political amendments. 

"Hindi naman siya (Zubiri) yung hallucinating doon. Ang hallucinating doon yung iba (I wasn't referring to Zubiri. It's the others who were hallucinating)." 

ALSO READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/02/former-spice-boys-reminisce-about-andaya-a-loyal-friend

 

At any rate, Barbers says he is willing to play the role of the House's emissary to the Senate leadership amid the continuing word war on Cha-cha. 

"Willing ako. Kailangan naman talaga mapag-usapan ito dahil hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng mga senador at mga kongresista na isang ano to, isang pamamaraan para ma-resolve na itong impasse na ito,' he said.

(I'm willing to do that. We really need to talk about this and the senators and congressmen are aware that this is one way to resolve this impasse.) 

"Kailangang mag-usap, kailangan nating umupo, kailangan nating pag-usapan ito (There is a need for discussion, we need to sit down and talk about this)," stressed the senior stalwart of the Nacionalista Party (NP). 

Barbers insists that economic Cha-cha is both justified and urgent. 

"I'm sure everybody will agree na kailangan talaga nating silipin, pag-aralan, at amyendahan itong restrictive economic provisions ng ating Saligang Batas (there's really a need to look into, study, and amend the restrictive economic provisions of our Constitution). We want to be globally competitive. Nauunahan na tayo ng ating mga kapitbahay (Our neighboring countries have eclipsed usl...this will affect the lives of the Filipino people," he said.

Related Tags

juan miguel migz zubiri Robert Ace Barbers spice Boys Charter change
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