Senators mourn passing of Ople
SENATORS on Tuesday, Aug 22, 2023, mourned the passing of Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople as they extended their condolences to her family.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri who sent his sincere condolences to the family said: “I join the country in mourning the loss of Sec. Susan “Toots” Ople, a dedicated public servant with a huge heart for our people. She showed us that true leadership is about kindness and compassion, dedicating her life and her career to the least privileged and the least heard.”
He further said that Sec. Ople’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void.
Senator Francis Chiz Escudero also send his condolences saying “I join the Filipino people in prayers for the eternal repose of her soul. She was my good friend,” Escudero said.
Ople was the goddaughter of the veteran legislator’s father, the late Agriculture Secretary Salvador “Sonny” Escudero.
Escudero further said that her demise is not only a loss to the Ople family but a big loss to the thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) whose welfare she has been championing even before she was appointed by President Marcos last year as DMW Secretary.
As the first secretary of the migrant workers department, Escudero said Ople’s accomplishment was remarkable even for a very short period of time that her successor has big shoes to fill.
Prior to her appointment by President Marcos, Ople founded and headed the Blas Ople Policy Center, a non-government organization (NGO) named after her father—the late Senate President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Fajardo Ople, who in 1976 initiated overseas employment as labor secretary of Marcos, Sr.
According to a DMW statement, Ople died this afternoon August 22 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones.
Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said that Sec. Ople fought tirelessly for the cause of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) saying: “It is hard to fathom the impact of Maria Susana “Toots” Ople’s passing on the lives of those she dedicated herself to helping.”
Estrada further said that Ople devoted her life to aiding OFWs and played a crucial role in bringing attention to government regarding issues such as the “laglag bala scheme”, the opening of balikbayan boxes, and extortion schemes at NAIA.
Further, Estrada recounted that she assisted in securing the release of a Filipino seafarer who was held captive by Somalian pirates for three years, as well as two others who were held hostage in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Hindi pa man siya natatalaga sa Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), malaki na at hindi na mabibilang ang naging ambag ni Sec. Ople sa sector ng OFWs at nagawa niya ang mga ito habang pinamumunuan ang Blas F. Ople Policy Center, isang non-profit center na tumutulong sa mga distressed OFWs, biktima ng mga pang-aabuso at diskriminasyon. Mahaba na ang listahan ni Sec. Toots kung sa pagkakawanggawa para sa mga OFW ang pag-uusapan,” Estrada maintained.
Estrada described her as a regular attendee at senate meetings, always providing her expertise and valuable insights to help refine legislative measures that would be beneficial for our “modern-day heroes.”
“Although she speaks in a gentle and sweet manner, she is a fierce advocate for the welfare of our fellow citizens and workers. I feel that no one could ever fill her shoes in the DMW,” Estrada said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros who said that her untimely passing is a sad day for the country described Ople as a dedicated public servant who gave herself wholeheartedly to the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers.
“Her work extended far beyond the call of duty, as she tirelessly advocated for fair labor practices, better working conditions, and the protection of the rights of OFWs. She has always welcomed our office’s efforts in rescuing our kababayans who were victims of human trafficking. She bravely stepped up to help OFWs in need. She was a refuge for women workers who were experiencing abuse in foreign countries. She was at the forefront of the war against modern slavery. She was loving and full of faith,” she said.
