President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. posthumously conferred the Order of Lakandula on former Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, recognizing her lasting impact as one of the country’s most influential advocates for overseas Filipino workers.
In a ceremony at Malacañang on Tuesday, Marcos said Ople’s legacy continues to shape government policy, noting that current programs for OFWs remain rooted in her work.
“She started all of this,” Marcos said.
“Everything we do now works because it already worked.”
Ople led the creation and early strengthening of the Department of Migrant Workers and oversaw the forging of 42 bilateral labor agreements, expanding protections for Filipinos across the Middle East, Europe, and other regions.
The President stressed that Ople’s advocacy was driven not by numbers or remittances, but by compassion.
“She always wanted to help because they were Filipinos,” he said.
Marcos added that her approach built trust with foreign governments and institutions, resulting in lasting partnerships.
“That’s why, even today, we still have doors open in places like Yemen and Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Despite battling illness, Ople continued working until her final days, a commitment Marcos said defined her public service.
He noted that awarding the honor on Rizal Day underscored the parallel between Ople’s life of service and the ideals of national hero Jose Rizal.