By Gabriela Baron
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
The DMW confirmed in a statement the passing of Ople.
“Secretary Toots peacefully joined our Creator at around 1PM today, August 22, 2023 surrounded by her family and loved ones,” its statement read.
“We shall be releasing more details soon. For the meantime, we ask for prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of our dear Sec. Toots,” it further read.
Ople was the youngest child of late former Senator Blas Ople.
In 2004, Ople was appointed as Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ople ran for senator in the 2010 and 2016 national elections but lost both times.
She founded the Blas Ople Policy Center which assists distressed overseas Filipino workers.
In 2022, she was appointed as secretary of the newly created DMW.
Ople went on a two-week wellness break in July following the consecutive passing of her two older brothers, former Hagonoy, Bulacan Mayor Felix “Toti” Ople and former journalist Blas Ople Jr. Both died due to lung cancer. With a report from PNA-ag
