Former and present government officials visited the first night of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople's wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 23.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended the wake and paid their last respects to Ople.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla were also seen on the first night.
Other notable guests were Senators Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay, and Joel Villanueva.
In an interview with the media, Binay described the DMW Secretary as a government official who is passionate in her advocacy.
“Gusto niya talaga matulungan at mapo-protektahan ang ating mga OFWs,” she added.
Villanueva, meanwhile, recalled how glad they were when Ople was chosen to head the DMW.
He said she showed a steadfast commitment to her duty as Secretary.
“Again, it is really tragic, surprising, nakakapanlumo, para bang nalungkot ng sobra nang mabalitaan ko na pumanaw na nga ang mahal na Secretary,” Villanueva said.
Ople passed away at the age of 61 on Tuesday.
The cause of death was not disclosed, but the DMW Secretary was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer back in 2020.
In July, Ople went on a medical leave shortly after the saddened death of her two elder brothers, Blas Ople Jr. and Felix 'Toti' Ople.
