Lutz Barbo is a lawyer, educator, human righ ts activist and former Senate official, serving as chief of staff and Senate secretary to two former Senate presidents, the late Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. and his son, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel. Barbo was also governor of Eastern Samar from 1988 to 1998.
After teaching at a public school in Eastern Samar, he started his legal career representing indigent clients. He joined protests during Martial Law and was arrested, jailed and tortured for six months for his political dissent. He is a member of SELDA or Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at para sa Amnestiya and was one of the detained prisoners and original human rights claimants against the Ferdinand Marcos Estate which was decided by Judge Manuel Real of Hawaii, USA.
Barbo was among the founding members of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino in 1984, that later merged with Lakas ng Bayan. PDP co-founder Nene Pimental, as minister of local government post-Martial Law, appointed Barbo as vice governor of Eastern Samar. Barbo would then win three consecutive gubernatorial terms in Eastern Samar.
Barbo is running for the Senate for the first time, under the faction of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan led by presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel.
If elected, Barbo says he will prioritize political reforms including a shift to federalism, strengthening political parties, and prohibiting political dynasties, political turncoatism as well as the shifting of political alliances depending on winners of elections.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
Shift to federalism
Supports PDP-Laban’s position on federalism
Priority legislations:
- Anti-political dynasty bills
- Anti-political turncoatism
- Reform corrupt, inefficient and irresponsible political party system
- Ensure that the functions and powers of the Senate are respected, including its oversight function
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Sector
In his three terms as governor of Eastern Samar, Barbo was commended by President Fidel Ramos for arresting the insurgency problems. Barbo’s template later informed President Ramos’ ZOPAD (Zone of Peace and Development) model for Mindanao.
Barbo served as secretary to then-Senate President Nene Pimentel from 2000 to 2001. He would return to teaching after almost 15 years until being tapped for his former Senate post by then-Senate President Koko Pimental from 2016 to 2018. He was also Senator Koko Pimentel’s chief of staff from 2014 to 2016.
Governor, 1988-1998
Private Sector
Barbo started as a public school teacher in Llorente, Eastern Samar. He then became a lawyer, representing indigent clients. His socio-political activism during Martial Law, which landed him in jail for six months, also brought him into the political orbit. He would be among the founding members of PDP, to which political party he still belongs.
Barbo returned to his teaching roots in the 2000s. He also became university president in two different institutions, though his appointment to the Philippine Normal University, a state university, was contested for not meeting the qualifications and characteristics for the position of university president.
He was among the founding members of PDP; currently, he is the vice-chairman and executive vice president of PDP-Laban under the Pacquiao-Pimentel faction.
Faculty member, 2005-2020
University president, 2011-2013
University president, 2006-2010
Faculty member, 2005
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Included in the Senate lineup of the Manny Pacquiao-Lito Ateinza tandem
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
member
Position/Date:
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
●Bachelor of Law, University of Santo Tomas, 1974
●BS in Elementary Education, Philippine Normal University, 1966
●Pioneering member of PDP-Laban party-list (established 1984) and current Vice Chairman and Executive Vice-President
●Secretary to Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimental III, Senate of the Philippines, 2016-2018
●Chief of Staff, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr., Senate of the Philippines, 2014-2016
●Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel III, Senate of the Philippines, 2001-2003
●Chief of the Senate Impeachment Court, Senate of the Philippines, 2001-2002
●Secretary to Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimental, Senate of the Philippines, 2000-2001
●Governor, Eastern Samar, 1988-1991; 1991-1994; 1994-1998
●Senate President Secretary, 2000-2001; 2016-2018
●Public educator and lawyer, 1966-1970; 2004-2020
- Public school teacher (pre-Martial Law)
- Faculty Member, Ateneo School of Government, 2005-2020
- University President, Taguig University, 2011-2013
- University President, Philippine Normal University, 2006-2010
- Faculty member, University of the Philippines - College of Public Administration, 2005
