President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has dedicated his latest vlog to remembering the late Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople and assuring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that the government will pursue her unfinished mission of promoting their welfare.

Marcos opened his vlog, uploaded to his YouTube channel on Aug. 26, by describing Ople's death as disheartening. She was 61.

"Napakalaki ng nawala sa Pilipinas sa pagkamatay ni Toots Ople (The Philippines lost a lot with Toots Ople's passing)," he said.

"Si Toots ay isang lingkod-bayan na tunay na pinagsisilbihan ang kanyang kapwa (Toots is a public servant who truly served the people)," he added.

The President said Ople's determination and concern for Filipino workers inspire them to continue her unfinished mission.

"Maaasahan ng ating mga OFW na hindi natin ihihinto, kung hindi ipagpapatuloy ang sinimulan na trabaho ng ating mahal na si Susan Ople (We assure our OFWs that we will not stop but continue the work started by our beloved Susan Ople)," Marcos said.

Ople's life work

According to Marcos, they were surprised when they heard the news of Ople's passing on Aug. 22, as she was still working hard even days before her death.

"Kahit na noong bandang huli nakikita namin medyo nahihirapan na siya pero hindi niya talaga tinitigilan ang trabaho niya (Even in her final days, we noticed that she was having a hard time but she didn't stop working)," he said.

"Hindi ito trabaho para sa kanya, eh. Yun ang buhay niya (This was not work for her. This was her life)," he added.

Only one

According to Marcos, Ople was his only choice to lead the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) because of her dedication to promoting the welfare of Filipino workers.

"Si Toots lang talaga ang naging kandidato dahil alam ko naman na ilalaban niya ang kapakanan ng ating mga manggagawa (Toots was the only candidate because I knew she would fight for the rights of our workers)," he said.

"Isinabuhay na niya ang misyon na 'yan (She made that her life's mission)," he added.

The President said that even though Ople had only served as the secretary of the newly established DMW for over a year, she would be remembered as someone who dedicated her life to Filipino workers.

"Buong buhay naman niya ang testamento sa trabahong ginawa niya para sa ating migrant workers, labor workers, at woman workers. Siya naman ang tunay na kampyon ng mga sektor na ito (Her life is a testmanet of her work for our migrant workers, labor workers, and woman workers. She really was the champion of these sectors)," Marcos said.

First impression

President Marcos said she knew Ople as the daughter of the late former Labor and Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, but their relationship started when they both ran for senator under the party of former Senator Manny Villar in 2010.

Marcos shared that he had to step up his game during their proclamation rally after hearing Ople's speech.

"Napakaganda ng kanyang sinabi. Hindi lang generalities ang pinag-uusapan niya— talagang specific, kung ano yung pangangailangan ng ating labor sector (Her speech was beautiful. It was specific. She talked about what the labor sector needed)," he said.

Working relationship

The President said the first issue he and Ople worked on was addressing human trafficking. This was when he became a senator in 2010.

"Sinasabi niya na kung wala tayong gagawin ay mas lalo tayong mahihirapan at magiging notorious na ang Pilipinas para sa human trafficking.

According to Marcos, their working relationship led to them bringing home OFWs who encountered problems, including those who unfortunately died abroad. They also provided help to those who were facing charges overseas.

"Nakita ko talaga na itong tao na ito, yun lang ang buhay niya. Yun lang talaga ang buhay niya (I saw that this person, that was her life. That was it)," he said.

"Iniiisip lang niya palagi kung paano niya gagawin para maproteksyunan ang ating mga OFW (She was only thinking about how to protect our OFWs)," he added.

Last respects

Marcos visited Ople's wake on Aug. 23. He is expected to lead a "closed private" necrological service for her in Malacañang on Monday morning, Aug. 28.

"The President, together with the bereaved family, will receive the remains of the late Secretary Ople upon their arrival in the Kalayaan Hall. The necrological service will begin shortly after," the DMW said on Aug. 25.

Ople's remains will be transferred to the DMW office in Mandaluyong City at 3 p.m. for a public viewing starting at 5 p.m.

Marcos appointed Ople as the first DMW secretary in June 2022.

Ople established and headed the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a non-profit organization that helps address labor and migration issues.

The late secretary revealed that she had Stage 2 breast cancer and had surgery in February 2020. However, the cause of her death was not disclosed.