Susan Ople | halalan2016

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Maria Susana “Susan” Ople

Nacionalista Party

Born February 09, 1962

She was awarded the 2013 Trafficking-in-Persons Hero Award of the US State Department.

This, among many things, proves how qualified Maria Susana “Susan” Ople is for a seat in the senate.

Susan Ople was born to a family of nine. Her father, Blas Ople, was a Labor Secretary/Minister and a former senator. He became a secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs, which opened the doors for Susan to serve as its chief of staff.

In 2004, she was appointed the Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment under the Arroyo administration. This started her journey as an advocate for Overseas Filipino Workers and laborers.

She founded (and currently presides over) the Blas Ople Policy Center (BOPC), which aims to assist OFWs.

“Ang gusto lang namin is matulungan sila and maparamdam ‘yung pagmamahal and pagmamalasakit na pinaramdam rin ng tatay naming nung buhay pa siya (All we want is to help them and let them feel the love and care that my father extended to them during his lifetime),” Susan said in an interview with Rappler.

In 2013, Susan Ople was awarded the 2013 Trafficking-in-Persons Hero Award of the US State Department and the 2013 Dangal ng Lipie in the Paglilingkod Bayan category. In fact, Senate Resolution No. 130 or the Resolution Commending Maria Susana ‘Toots’ Ople for Having Been Conferred by the Government of the United States of America the Global Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Hero Award for 2013 for Her Persistent and Unyielding Effort to Curb Human Trafficking was filed by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada and Senator Cynthia Villar for her.

“Human slavery affects everyone, not just the victims, because its very existence reminds us that not all are created equal,” she said in accepting the award. “This award embodies the collaborative effort that the Ople Center has with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the media, our OFWs, and all of those who have entrusted us with information against trafficking in persons,” she added.

An article in Rappler said that she gave lectures on human trafficking in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in the same year because she “believes that giving OFWs these information will enable them to take control of their own situation overseas”.

“I think I owe it to my sector to keep learning. I really feel a strong sense of obligation to understand what’s going on in the world because my constituents are spread all over the world. That’s why I study the news, I watch CNN, I read a lot of books. I really try,” she said.

According to the same article, she believes that there is nothing wrong with working overseas.

“Going abroad to work is natural in today’s context of migration. [But] there’s something wrong when we can’t offer alternatives. It’s not having enough factories to employ workers. It’s not having enough jobs for women so they can stay at home and be with their families. That is the one driving them away,” she said.

If elected, Ople plans to create two departments: one for overseas Filipino workers and one for maritime affairs.

“I would also like to craft laws that would create a more inclusive and safer workplace for all, such as a law against age discrimination in the hiring process, and a review of our occupational health and safety code,” she said in an interview with Interaksyon.

Like fellow senatorial candidates Leila de Lima and Lorna Kapunan, Susan says no to political dynasties.

In an interview with Rappler, Susan said that the power to change government officials is in the hands of the voters.

“Kung ‘di ka makapagpasa ng batas, anong gagawin mo? I wish na every bold voter realizes the power of change that lies with him or her…. Ang pwede lang magsabi na ayaw naming ng political dynasty ay kayo…. Choose based on competence, not name,” she said.

In 2010, Susan ran for a senatorial seat but lost. She was supported by the Maka-Manggagawa Movement, which included UP professor and former Dean Rene Ofreneo, Linda Manabat of the Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization, and Dr. Ernita Santos of the NCR Federation of OFW Family Circles. Leaders of the Samahang Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago and Young Officers’ Union also supported Ople.

Today, Susan is a writer for Panorama Magazine and Tempo and a host for DZXL’s “Bantay OFW” and DWIZ 882 AM’s “Global Pinoy”.

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