Lutz Barbo: The Forearm Of The Filipino

Written By Abigail Ariola, Bernel Carredo, Mikael Borres

Sometimes, the essence of power appeals greater than the essence of service when it comes to public administration in the Philippines. Power over people, money over management, and influence over infrastructure. 

Now that the election season is near, twelve seats in the Senate are up for grabs in a nerve-wracking roulette. The contenders include many names; some names are new, some names familiar by connection, and some names come from prominent political families. These aspirants are up for the voting mill when the fateful election day comes. 

When asked about his strengths despite the many names on the senatorial grocery list, Attorney Lutgardo “Lutz” Barbo simply replied:

“Alam ko ang trabaho ng Senator. Nagiging Senate Secretary ako noong panahon ni Nene Pimentel. After 16 years, naging Senate Secretary ako kay Koko Pimentel, ang kanyang anak. Ang trabaho ng Senate Secretary ay magbigay nga ayuda sa mga senador, sa kanilang research work, in their legislative work, and in their administrative work.”

[I know what a Senator’s job is. I was Senate Secretary during the time of Nene Pimentel. After 16 years, I was Senate Secretary for Koko Pimentel, his son. The Senate Secretary’s job is to give aid to the senators, in their research, in their legislative work, and in their administrative work].

Barbo definitely speaks for what he can do. He starts off listing his resumé with his time as a human rights lawyer (beginning in 1976), which he continues to be in the present. This is supplemented by being a lecturer at four colleges, even being the president of Philippine Normal University from 2006 until 2010.

However, the greatest proof of service that he can bring is his Lingkod Bayan Presidential Award, conferred to him in 1997. The distinction is the highest honour being awarded by the Civil Service Commission for outstanding, meritorious, and exemplary government service. For Barbo, these awards and experiences provide voters valuable insight into his aspirations not only for the Senate but also for the Filipino people. 

His platforms mainly focus on administrative reform such as equal access to public service, the barring of political dynasties, and heavy party-list reform. However, this does not mean that those are the only things in his mind. He also has different views concerning the different issues such as political violence, the press, human rights, gender issues, electoral issues, and federalism.

On The Drug War

When Barbo was asked about the ongoing War on Drugs enacted by President Duterte, he directly replied that the war is one-sided against those who are in poverty.

“Well, my opinion is [that] the drug war is biased against the poor. The president has kept on saying ‘kill, kill, kill” instead of saying “arrest, arrest, arrest” or ‘rehabilitate, rehabilitate, rehabilitate.’ He would rather snuff out the life of everyone who is suspected [of] using drugs.”

Barbo believes that even drug users are human; no one has the right to take away their lives despite falling prey to the maliciousness of drug use. Furthermore, he gave out a simple summarizing comment on the issue:

“A brutal war by a war president.”

On Political Threats

On the issue of political-related harassment, Barbo stood firm that threatening people over their political beliefs is wrong. According to him, the president must abide by the rule of law and must realize that no one is above the law. 

“The president should know that he should uphold the law,” Barbo replies. “The president is not above the law, nor is he the law [unto] himself. I hope the long arm of the law will catch up with violators of the law, especially those who execute the law. Let’s make it clear that everybody is equal [in] the eyes of the law.”

Barbo further explained that regardless of a person’s position in society, the law is the law, and it must be strictly followed.

“[Whether] president or street worker, a street sweeper, we are equal before the law [...] nobody is above the law. Even the president cannot claim that he is the law, much less can he say that ‘I am the law’ because he is not.”

On The Press

“I think there is [a] danger [of] the media being shackled,” Barbo explains when asked about his thoughts on press freedom. He believes that our freedom needs to be protected or else it will be lost, citing the case of Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler that has been arrested on libel charges.

“If we do not guard against abuse, [freedom] will be gone [...]I think that the supposed crime of Maria Ressa is a very clear example that [why] we should guard against abuse.”

Furthermore, Barbo’s stance on press freedom is cemented by the fact that citizens should stand ready in the defence of our liberties as Filipinos.

“Only those who are not afraid to support and defend [and] fight for freedom, are fit to live and enjoy that freedom. In other words, we [have] to work hard to defend [the] freedom that we enjoy now. If we don’t, chances are this freedom will be taken away from us.”

On The Death Penalty

The question of the death penalty bore a mixed response from Barbo, who stated that the death penalty is unfavourable in the present situation, rather than being against the death penalty in totality.

“I am not in favour of the death penalty right now, even if the Constitution does not prohibit it, for as long as the crime is classified as a heinous crime.”

When inquired about the conditions in order for him to support the death penalty:

“Perhaps when we shall reform the entire corrupt, irresponsible, inefficient, and untrustworthy justice system, we can look into the idea of having the death penalty for heinous crimes,” Barbo clarifies. 

“Right now, selective justice is happening. Kung ikaw ay mayaman, at ikaw ay inakusa ng abogado, malamang na kakilala mo ang judge. Pero kung mahirap ka, kawawa namang bata ka. Kawawa kang Pilipino, kasi wala pa kang hanapbuhay, mas lalo pa kung wala ka pang pambili nga abogado. May abogado naman na libre, pero iilan lang sila, na tumutulong ng walang bayad. Let me be clear about it, the death penalty is not suitable right now.”

[Right now, selective justice is happening. If you are rich and get accused by the prosecutor, you might just know the judge. If you are poor, it’s a shame. A shame to you, that you don’t have a job, let alone if you cannot pay for an attorney. There are free lawyers, but there are only a few who would help for free].

He further maintained that Philippine society has a twisted sense of justice, saying that the concept of “selective justice” — or selecting who gets prosecuted based on wealth — is ruining the country’s efforts to bring justice to Filipinos.

“We have a distorted sense of justice because the poor get punished but the wealthy, the influential, get away scot-free. As of now, our justice system is biased against the poor. Walang mababayad sa pambili ng magagaling na abogado, at yung my pera at impluwensiya, sila ang makakalusot [There is nothing to pay for an attorney, and those with money and influence can get through].

He cited the Pharmally case as one of the pieces of evidence on the discrepancy in the justice system that we have today. 

“Kagaya ngayon, may kasalanan sa Pharmally, yung paggagamit ng pondo ng gobyerno na may maraming nabubulsa at maraming Chinese ang na-involve, ang sabi lang sa presidente: ‘Huwag na kayo ma-involve sa kaso [Like now, those with faults in Pharmally; the use of pocketed government funds and Chinese involvement. The president simply says: 'Do not involve yourselves in the investigation’].

“Which is wrong, because the Senate has the plenary power to investigate and to help in the investigation in order to reach a favourable conclusion to the case.”

On Human Rights

To Barbo, the topic of human rights hit home as he was a human rights lawyer for quite some time.

“I have been defending human rights cases, especially [for] the poor and the marginalized. I have [fought] cases in the courts and in the Supreme Court. Modesty aside, I have been commended by the Supreme Court by former Chief Justice Teehankee.”

This view was further strengthened by the fact that Barbo, being the frontier in the advocacy of human rights during his time, had personal experiences relating to the detailed violation of human rights during his early stint as a young, new lawyer.

“I have been in the forefront of human rights advocacy; I myself was a victim of human rights violations. When I was a new lawyer and was newly married, I was incarcerated in San Fernando, Pampanga. I was working as the legal counsel of a multinational American company. I was picked up and detained at Camp Aguinaldo, and later on in Camp Crame. I suffered not only physical torture. But more difficult was the mental torture since I was not allowed to see my family, especially my wife.”

Furthermore, he mentioned his case victory against the Marcoses and aired his grievances towards the current president’s statements about the uselessness of the Commission of Human Rights.

“We won the case against the Marcos estate in Hawaii; we won the case and we received some compensation. I do not like [what] the president said that [the] Human Rights Commission does not matter. Because all of you, even you and I, are entitled to some basic, fundamental human rights. Take away those rights, and a human being becomes less than human without the rights.”

On Same-Sex Marriage

Barbo is not in favour of same-sex marriage in the Philippines, as it is mandated by law for a man and woman to marry.

“I am not in favour of [same-sex] marriage. I am in favour of partnership. Under the law, unless we change it, marriage is between a man and a woman. [If] it is a man and man or woman and woman, let it be a partnership.

“It may be a euphemism for something else, like when you say ‘I am married to my work’ or ‘I am married to my job’. But when it is marriage, it must be between a man and a woman,” Barbo maintains.

When asked about the constitutional legality of the supposed same-sex marriage issue, Barbo would allow the passage of the bill provided the highest law of the land will allow the conformation on the issue of same-sex marriage.

“First, you will have to amend the Constitution. The Constitution is the highest law of the land. All other legislatures should conform to the highest law of the land. Maybe, perhaps, we can allow same-sex marriage.”

Despite this acceptance, Barbo still has reservations in regard to the moral aspect of the issue. While he would allow the passing of such a bill into law, he has some personal reservations about the entire notion in itself.

“We have to look into the nature of humanity. What makes the world go round? Why are humans endowed with reproductive organs? Why are humans allowed to multiply? But if it is a matter of friendship, deep friendship, let’s not call it marriage, but partnership. Literally, that is what the world goes round. Otherwise, it would make the world stop going around the sun, as there won’t be any human beings.”

On Divorce

When asked about the issue of divorce, Barbo explained that he has some issues with it; not because of personal reasons, but rather out of the best interest of the citizens.

“We already have divorce, but it is not absolute divorce in our laws. It is just a separation of lodging and [resources]. I am having second thoughts about it, not because I am afraid of my wife, but because there is going to be a rebound of divorce in the best interest of our people. 

Even Italy, the seat of the papal leadership, has divorce. It is allowed by the government but not by the Catholic Church.”

Barbo clarifies his stance, particularly on the grounds of when divorce should happen, as he needed to balance both the benefits and detriments of the legalization of a divorce decree in the country, such as medical grounds and domestic grounds.

“There can be grounds, important grounds. Maybe, I will rethink my ideas as I keep on thinking of the children — especially the children. If parents do not have enough wages to keep up, they will divorce. Anyways, I would find out the best ground for divorce. 

“One of the grounds is a watch on violent behaviour. Maybe also in terms of mental incapacity of any of them. If the medical experts rule out beyond redemption, then a divorce is permitted. That could be the case for divorce. Divorce should be granted absolutely here, not separation alone.”

“Hopefully, when I become senator, I would like to explore the grounds,” Barbo explains the issue of passing grounds of divorce. 

“My job as a senator is not only to fill bills but to engage those who file bills and resolutions on [the] reasonableness of the bills that they file. I like to engage myself in the discussion. I would like to participate in the debates and discussions in the Senate. I would like to participate in the proceedings as the voice of the people.”

On Electorate Issues

On the question of vote-buying, which is a hot issue considering the political atmosphere in the Philippines, Barbo simply gave out a clear response to the matter.

“It is illegal. That is intended to keep the wealthy in power. Yung may pera naman, kahit walang kakayahan, bumili sila ng boto at ang mahirap ay tatanggap dahil kailangan nila. Pero may tumatanggap, bulsahin, at iboto ayon sa konsensya.” 

[It is illegal. That is intended to keep the wealthy in power. Those who have money, despite having no skill, buy their votes and the poor take it because they need it. But there are some who take the money, pocket it, and vote according to conscience.]

“Mawawa naman yung mga magagaling na kandidato, na wala namang pera pambili ng boto [It’s going to be poor for the good candidates that have no money for vote-buying], Barbo remarks on the unfairness of the elections due to the issue of vote-buying. 

“Eh kahit qualified sila, matatalo sila sa mga mayayaman. Magiging clown lang sila, kumbaga fixture lang sila, my pangalan na ‘Honorable’, pero they are dishonorable. Pang nangloloko lang yon.”.”

[Even if they are qualified, the rich will still beat them. They are going to be clowns, being fixtures with the ‘Honorable’ prefix, but they are dishonourable. They are making a fool out of this.]

To further prove his response, Barbo shared his experience when he was in office as the Provincial Governor for Eastern Samar from 1987 until 1999, a personal tale about a friend who was a local official.

“Meron akong laging nakalaban na mayor, kasi sa kanyang bayan lagi akong talo. Ang ginagawa niya ay binili niya ang mga tao doon. Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, ang mayor na ito ay famous, [pero] ang kanyang bayan ay hindi na-develop, [kahit na] matagal siya sa pagiging mayor. Kasi pinupuntahan siya sa mga isyu, ang sabihin niya? ‘Bakit ako magbibigay sa inyo? Nabibili kayo diba? Eh binili naman kayo, kaya patas ra.’” 

[I have a rival mayor because I always lose in his city every time. What he does is that he buys the people there. After the election, this mayor became famous, but his city is not developed [despite] being in power for long. It is because every time he gets approached with issues, what would he say? ‘Why would I give back to you? I bought you off, right? I already bought you off, so there is no need’.]

Barbo still feels bad that he was not able to change his friend's attitude towards public service. He believes that he could have done more to convince the mayor to care about the development of his city.

“I felt bad because when we were buddies, I could have gotten him to change his attitude. I told him that his place is nice [since it was] overlooking the sea, and I suggested building another market there to highlight the location — but to no avail. He would say yes to men, but then nothing happens. I guess he was not too concerned about development. He was too concerned about staying in power.”

On Online Trolls

When asked about online trolls, Barbo explains that trolls are no more than harbingers of fake news, sapping energy through twisting facts regardless if they are paid or not.

“Trolls are synonymous with fake news. Trolls are connotative with making up stories. Trolls spell kasinungalingan [lies]. Alam ko na merong trolls eh, ilan sa kanila ay binabayaran talaga [I know that some trolls are paid to do it]. They will twist facts, they will say one thing and mean another. Fake news equals trolls.”

If elected as senator, Barbo intends to create legislation that not only makes online trolling illegal in the Philippines but also rehabilitates captured trolls for good.

“Siguro may matitino sa kanila, pero iilan lamang. Pag sinabing trolls kasi parang naghahanap ng propagandizer, at invariably, gagamit sila ng hindi totoong facts. Nakakainis. 

[There are serious trolls, but there are only a few. When we say trolls, we actually find propagandists and invariably, they will use untrue facts. Annoying]. 

“Nang maging senador ako [When I become Senator], I will file a bill to not only put trolls in jail but also to rehabilitate them. I know that some trolls do that for the money.”

On Federalism

As a member of the PDP-Laban party (in the Pacquiao clique), Barbo supported federalism from the orthodoxy to the party line, supporting incumbent President Duterte’s advocacies for the shift to a devolved government.

“The first course of action when I am elected is to file a joint resolution for a constitutional convention and amend the Constitution. Alam mo, yung federalism, isa yan sa prinsipyo na aming dinadaan. [You know, federalism is one of the principles that we go through.] Whenever we raise our left hand for our [party’s] oath of allegiance, we say that we support the advocacy of the Philippine state as a federated republic.”

“I have been teaching that for several years even before federalism became popular,” Barbo further explains, stating that he taught federalism long before its current popularity. 

“Before that idea of local government, we have been taking everything in from Manila. This is how we coined the phrase ‘the Imperial City of Manila”. We want development not only centred in Manila but also [in] the other parts of the Philippines. Manila is not the Philippines, and the Philippines is not Manila.”

When asked about the efforts of President Duterte’s federalist advocacy, Atty. Barbo gave a fiery response to the question. His response stemmed from the ideological betrayal that Duterte had shown for the sake of getting votes.

“It did not work because President Duterte did not like to make it work. I was [Duterte’s] campaign manager in Samar. I was the vice president of PDP-Laban at the time....” 

“...‘Give me 3 months to 6 months, and I will stop corruption and illegal drugs’ at saka yung ‘I will go to the West Philippine Sea and plant the Philippine flag there.’

“Kaya palakpak na palakpak ako. Ako pa ang nag-lead ng palakpak eh, parang mga unggoy kami. Yun pala, it was only made to capture votes.”

[And so I clapped and clapped. I even led the clapping, we were like monkeys. Turns out it was only made to catch votes.]

“Ang masama kay after so many months or years, sasabihin lang kami ng ‘Bakit kayo naniniwala sa akin? Mga estupido kayo at mga bobo, hindi naman yun makuha ang 3 months to 6 months. Hindi naman ako alam na sumakay sa jetski eh, hindi naman ako alam lumangoy.’ Nasaktan ako.

[The bad thing is that after so many months or years, we’re told, ‘Why did you believe me? You are stupid idiots, we can’t get it done in 3 months to 6 months. I don’t even know how to ride a jet ski, I don’t even know how to swim.’ I was hurt.] 

“I was hurt because I supported him straight from the heart. [The PDP-Laban Cusi faction] only wanted to hijack the party.

“Ayaw namin, kami ni Koko Pimentel.” 

[We don’t want it, both Koko Pimentel and I.]

The Forearm of Filipino Service

Barbo is the man! Si Barbo ang bisig ng bayan!

These are the campaign slogans that Barbo would be referred to. The use of the term “bisig ng bayan” [forearm of the town] refers to the fact that he works not for the power, but for the service. Being the forearm of the Filipino people means that he is at the frontier of service, and that is what he aspires to be once elected into the Senate.

This service-oriented drive has also been exemplified through his interactions when he was a provincial governor, citing his regret that he should have been more aggressive in his local governance.

“I should have been more aggressive in terms of local governance. In my three terms as governor, I was also the Secretary-General of the League of Governors. 

“Kung humingi ka ng reporma sa pamamagitan ng batas, ang nakaharap mo ay ang mga congressman. Ayaw ng congressman na matatapak sila, gusto sila na sikat palagi.” 

[If you want to have reform through the laws, you’ll likely face the congressmen. They don’t want to be stepped on, they just want to be famous all the time.]

Barbo also noted that the congressmen were more focused on getting more power, as stated in his personal experience during a recess in a Congress session:

“Ang sabi nila, ‘Governor, wag muna ang reporma. Wag muna ang pagbabago ng batas, yung decentralization, yung local autonomy, mamaya na yan. Ang pagkakilala namin sa iyo ay magaling ka raw na gobernador. Ang importante kay ma re-elected ka. Ang concern namin kay ang ma re-elected kami as congressmen.’” 

[They said, ‘Governor, don’t call for reforms yet. Don’t renew the laws, decentralization, local autonomy, do it later. What we know of you is that you are a good governor. The important thing is that you get reelected. Our concern is that we want to get reelected as congressmen.’]

Barbo spared no quarter in dishing out some heated words in quarrels with congressmen about power and service.

“Alam mo ang aking nasabi? Mabuti naman na hindi umalma masyado. Ang sabi ko ay ‘Alam mo congressman, pag ganyan lagi ang attitude lagi, sakana lang bahala ang mga reporma at hindi natin aayusin, kami ang nasa harap. That is why we need laws and reforms for our subjects. What you said is bullshit!’”

[That is why we need laws and reforms for our subjects. What you said is bullshit! Did you know what I said? It was good that I was not throwing much of a tantrum. I said, ‘Congressman, if our attitudes are always like that, that we don’t care about reforms, we’re at the front line. That is why we need laws and reforms for our subjects. What you said is bullshit!’]  

“Nasabi ko na eh. ‘Kailangan natin ang pagbabago ngayon. Ano ba ang gusto natin? Na nasa puwesto lang tayo na bahala na ang mga reporma? To hell with reforms, as long as we are in power? That’s bullshit!’”

[I already said it. ‘We need the changes now. What do we want? That we’ll be in power and not care about the reforms? To hell with reforms, as long as we are in power? That’s bullshit!’] 

“Nabigla ako talaga [I was really surprised],” Barbo remembers. 

After all, the greatest lesson that he learned from service was that a politician can be honest, even in our dirty and problematic political atmosphere. That lesson on honesty truly speaks for his stances and himself

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