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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos confers posthumous award on late DMW chief Ople

Marcos confers posthumous award on late DMW chief Ople

Published Dec 30, 2025 01:45 pm
Photo by Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool
Photo by Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool
President Marcos on Tuesday, Dec. 30, conferred a posthumous award on the late former Migrant Workers secretary Susan "Toots" Ople, whose work has since shaped policies that protect overseas workers.
Marcos conferred the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on Ople in a ceremony that Marcos said he regretted not doing when the late secretary was still alive.
"Not only was she an amazing public servant, she was an amazing person," he said.
According to the President, Ople, the first full-fledged DMW secretary, "gave form and force to an infant agency born from years of migrant advocacy." She was the one "who started it all," he added.
"She was aware that she was both laying a foundation while responding to urgent, real-world needs of our countrymen. And under her leadership, the Philippines entered into 42 bilateral agreements with 25 countries. Agreements that were based on the firm belief that Filipino workers deserve protection, they deserve fairness, and they deserve respect, wherever they might be, anywhere in the world," he added.
Marcos also cited Ople's efforts in helping in the establishment of the One Repatriation Command Center and the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Hospital. 
 "She also led the launch of the DMW Mobile Application and OFW Pass—giving the government a more reassuring presence in the daily lives of our OFWs and of their families. Aside from this, Secretary Toots also directed the closure of illegal recruitment operations, confronting exploitation with decisive action," he added.
Marcos said the government is still following Ople's principles and concepts.
"And why do we do that? We do that because they are successful, because they truly help those that we are trying to help. And that is the genius, the compassion of the work that Toots brought to public service," he added.
Marcos said what set Ople apart was how she worked, as she "led with empathy, with expertise, and with very, very strong moral clarity."
The President also likened her patriotism to that of Dr. Jose Rizal as she "believed love of country is expressed through courage, discipline, and service."
"I witnessed this personally, and I consider it a privilege to have had her in my Cabinet," he said.
 "Secretary Toots consistently championed the dignity and the rights of every Filipino migrant worker. She ensured that they were modern-day heroes with names, families, and dreams," he added.
The Order of Lakandula is one of the Senior Honors of the Republic created by virtue of Executive Order No. 236 series of 2003.
It is the Order of Political and Civic Merit of the Republic conferred in commemoration of Datu Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage, and resolve in the service of one’s people.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Susan \"Toots\" Ople Susan Ople Toots Ople
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