Marcos: Ople was true champion of OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos turned emotional as he bade goodbye to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Susan “Toots” Ople yesterday, saying she was a true champion of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one of the best persons he has known.?

Marcos and members of his Cabinet, including Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, gathered during a necrological service for the late official at Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall.

“We are told when you are an official that you cannot show emotion,that you must be stoic and you must keep yourself to yourself. But I hope you understand if I shed tears because she was a huge loss to me, to all of us and to the entire Philippines,” Marcos said partly in Filipino in his eulogy.

“And if I do shed a tear, it is because it is such a sad day to know – it is such a sad – a bit of knowledge to know that Toots will not be here anymore and what a big gap she will leave not only to our friends, not only to our family, but also to the millions of those whom she took care of, whom she loved and whom she worked for tirelessly and endlessly,” he added.

Marcos admitted it is difficult to find a new DMW chief as dedicated as Ople. “Let’s find someone as good as her, but let’s not expect another Toots,” he said.

“And I know that this all came from her heart, this all came from the compassion and the passion that she brought to her work. And this, as I said, is a rare quality, a rare combination,” he added.

Marcos’ friendship with Ople dates back to when he was a senator, with the late DMW secretary working with him concerning OFW welfare, her lifelong advocacy.

“And I have to say that I cannot choose which was the better relationship. They were equally wonderful. The professional relationship that we had and the friendship that we had is something that I cannot –I will not find in many people in my lifetime,” the President said.

“So you will understand my emotion. You will understand the great sense of loss that we are feeling. And if I shed a tear, because I feel sorry. I do not feel sorry for Toots because after her last – her heart beat its last, her soul went immediately to heaven. And for that, I have no doubt,” he added.

The necrological service was also attended by Ople’s family, led by her daughter, Estelle Osorio.

In her message Osorio thanked Marcos for appointing her mother as DMW secretary.

“We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts because you allowed my mom to live her mission by trusting her with the position despite her illness,” Osorio said.

In his speech during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City yesterday morning, Marcos recognized Ople as a true hero as she dedicated her life to promoting OFWs’ welfare.

“We must mention a dear and departed friend whom we can only describe as well as a hero, and that is our good friend whom we just lost, secretary Toots Ople. And she is a perfect example of what true heroism can be. She tirelessly dedicated the better part of her life to promote the welfare of our modern-day heroes,” the President said.

From Malacañang, Ople’s remains were transferred to the DMW office in Mandaluyong City for an overnight vigil.

Ople died last Aug. 22 at the age of 61 after battling breast cancer.

She founded the Blas Ople Policy Center, named after her father, which assists distressed OFWs in various parts of the world.

Ople to be cremated

Ople is scheduled to be cremated and inurned today at Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.

The DMW reported that Ople’s remains were brought back to Heritage Memorial Park after an overnight vigil at the agency’s main office in Mandaluyong City.

Ople will have her final flag ceremony on DMW grounds at 8 a.m. after which a requiem mass to be presided over by Fr. Jerry Orbos will follow at 9 a.m.

There will be final viewing for the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.