Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, a staunch advocate of labor rights for overseas Filipino workers, has passed away, her family and her agency confirmed on Tuesday.

“Secretary Toots peacefully joined our Creator at around 1PM today, August 22, 2023 surrounded by her family and loved ones,” the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in a statement.

Her family members told ABS-CBN News’ Henry Omaga-Diaz she died peacefully earlier this day.

Ople went on medical leave immediately after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month.

MARCOS MOURNS OPLE’S DEATH

Marcos Jr. on Tuesday mourned the demise of Ople, describing her as a “friend” and an “excellent” public servant.

Marcos Jr. gave the statement on the sidelines of an event in Laguna, minutes after the DMW confirmed that their chief has passed away after her bout with cancer.

“It’s very, very sad news. I have lost a friend, the Philippines has lost a friend,” the President said.

“Sec. Toots is a special person with a deep compassion for the people she had to care for, namely the migrant workers,” she said.

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