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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solons sad over Ople's passing, say her 'legacy will live on'

Solons sad over Ople's passing, say her 'legacy will live on'

Published Aug 22, 2023 09:13 am

At A Glance

  • Messages of sadness and sweet tribute poured out from the hearts of Houseoof Representatives members Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 22 after they found out that Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople had passed away. 

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DMW Secretary "Toots" Ople (Speaker's office)

 

 

 

 

 

A champion, a strong pillar in protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a dear friend. 

Messages of sadness and sweet tribute poured out from the hearts of Houseoof Representatives members Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 22 after they found out that Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople had passed away. 

"I offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Secretary Susan Toots Ople, and the entire Department of Migrant Workers," Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said in a statement. 

"Secretary Ople was a true champion of the Filipino Migrant Workers. Her passing is a great loss to the entire Filipino nation," he noted. 

"We hope to honor her life’s work by continually advocating for the rights and the protection of the welfare of our Filipino Migrant Workers. Her legacy will live on," Salo said. 

In a separate statement, OFW Party-list and its nominee, Rep. Marissa Magsino, shared that they were mourning the death of the 61-year-old Ople. 

"Si Sec. Toots ay isang matibay na haligi ng adbokasiya sa pagprotekta sa ating mga [OFWs]. Bago pa man ang kanilang paninilbihan sa gobyerno, magkaagapay na sila ni Congw. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino sa laban sa pagtataguyod ng kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs," it read. 

(Sec. Toots is a strong pillar of the advocacy to protect OFWs. Even before their careers in government began, Ople and Congw. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino were already allies in the fight to further the welfare of OFWs.) 

Meanwhile, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan hailed the late Ople for "her  integrity, strength of character and unwavering dedication to public service". He called these qualities "an inspiration to us all". 

"As president and founder of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Toots untiringly fought for the rights  and welfare of distressed overseas Filipino workers. She continued her lifelong mission of protecting our OFWs when she was appointed  as the first-ever secretary of the [DMW] by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.," Yamsuan said. 

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo echoed the sentiments of her fellow solons and said, "Today we mourn the passing of a dear friend and colleague in public service, Secretary Maria Susana 'Toots' Ople." 

"We offer our sincerest condolences to her family, colleagues and to the entire [DMW]. Our heart goes out to her loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time. We will continue her legacy and advocate for the protection of the rights and welfare of our OFWs," she said.

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House of Representatives susan ople Department of Migrant Workers
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