President Marcos honors late DMW chief Ople with Order of Lakandula
December 30, 2025
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“Sa gitna ng sariling pagsubok, hindi niya iniwan ang tungkulin sa bayan. Hanggang kaya, lumalaban. Hanggang sa huli, nagserbisyo.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday posthumously conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on the late Maria Susana “Toots” Vasquez Ople, lauding her as a public servant who exemplified integrity, compassion, and service.
Joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, members of the Ople family, and government officials, President Marcos led the formal ceremony held at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace, coinciding with Rizal Day and the fourth founding anniversary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Ople was the first full-fledged DMW Secretary following her appointment in June 2022, and her legacy continues to protect Filipino migrant workers long after her passing, said the President.
“In many ways it could be said that all of us who are doing any kind of work for OFWs around the world are only following the strictures laid out. Siya ang nagsimula nitong lahat… Everything that we are doing now, all of the successes that you see, she laid the groundwork for that,” President Marcos said.
“For many, Secretary Toots is a standard of excellence in public service,” President Marcos said, noting that some public servants never truly leave public service because of the enduring impact of their work.
“So today, in her honor, I join the Ople family and everyone whose lives she has touched in this shared commitment: To champion was what she stood for and to serve with the same passion, with the same integrity, and drive that defined her well-lived life,” the President said.
Ople served at the DMW until her death on August 22, 2023 at age 61.
President Marcos said Ople gave “form and force” to a newly created agency born out of years of migrant advocacy, even as she faced urgent and complex challenges confronting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Under her leadership, the Philippines entered into 42 bilateral labor agreements with 25 countries, reinforcing protection, fairness and respect for migrant workers.
Ople also helped establish the One Repatriation Command Center and the OFW Hospital, and led the launch of the DMW Mobile Application and OFW Pass for faster travel and verification.
“Malinaw ang kanyang paninindigan: tiyakin natin na makatao at makatarungan ang trato sa bawat manggagawang Pilipino sa ibayong dagat,” the President said.
Prior to leading the DMW, Ople held various government posts and became the first Filipino to serve on the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Trust Fund for Victims of Human Rights Trafficking. She also authored two books reflecting her advocacy for migrant welfare and social protection.
“What set her apart was how she worked. She led with empathy, with expertise, and with very, very strong moral clarity,” President Marcos said, noting that Ople continued to serve the country even while privately battling cancer.
The President likened Ople’s patriotism to that of Dr. Jose Rizal, saying she believed love of country is expressed through courage, discipline, and service.
President Marcos added that despite her accomplishments, Ople would have preferred to be remembered simply as a devoted mother, daughter, worker, and friend.
Ople was the daughter of the late Senator and former Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople.
The Order of Lakandula is one of the Senior Honors of the Republic created by virtue of Executive Order No. 236 series of 2003.
It is the Order of Political and Civic Merit of the Republic conferred in commemoration of Datu Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage, and resolve in the service of one’s people.
The Order of Lakandula is conferred by the President of the Philippines. | PND