President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday mourned the passing of one of his cabinet members, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan 'Toots' Ople.

In an ambush interview with reporters in Laguna, Marcos said he lost a friend.

"Secretary Toots is a special person, with a deep compassion really for the people she cared for, namely the migrant workers," the President said.

He said Ople's death was a "big loss" as he emphasized that the latter had delivered an outstanding performance in DMW.

"She's very much followed in the tradition of Cablas Ople, of excellence, of compassion. It is a great loss for all of us. It's a great loss for the Philippines," Marcos added.

DMW spokesperson Tony Nebrija confirmed that Ople passed away at 1:00 PM on Tuesday. She was 62 years old.

"It is with great sadness that the Department of Migrant Workers announces the passing of our dearest Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople. Secretary Toots peacefully joined our Creator at around 1 p.m. today, August 22, 2023, surrounded by her family and loved ones," he said in a statement.