13 Facts About Susan Ople

Maria Susana "Toots" Vasquez Ople was a Filipina politician and Overseas Filipino Workers' rights advocate who served as the first Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers.

Susan Ople was born on February 9,1962, the youngest of the seven children of Blas F Ople and Susana Vasquez.

Susan Ople served as media relations officer of Senator Ernesto Herrera and then of her father.

Susan Ople later became chief of staff to her father in the Senate and later at the Department of Foreign Affairs when he became its Secretary.

In 2004, Ople was appointed Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Susan Ople then ran for Senator in the 2010 Philippine elections but lost, ranking 34th out of 61 candidates.

Susan Ople was the founder and president of the Blas Susan Ople Policy Center which assists distressed overseas Filipino workers in various parts of the world.

Susan Ople ran again for Senator under the Nacionalista Party in the 2016 Philippine Elections.

Susan Ople advocated to pass laws that would help advance the welfare of OFWs while at the same time highlighting key issues that affect them today.

Susan Ople was diagnosed with breast cancer, which caused her to delay considering her appointment to Marcos' cabinet.

Susan Ople died while confined at the St Luke's Medical Center in Metro Manila.

Susan Ople opposed the death sentence given by Indonesia to Mary Jane Veloso, who was tricked to carry drugs into the country, and advocated for the release of numerous OFWs imprisoned in the Middle East.

Susan Ople supported the abolition of political dynasties as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.