Senatorial aspirant Susan “Toots” Ople vows to protect OFWs. YUJI VINCENT GONZALES/INQUIRER.net
Susan “Toots” Ople, the youngest daughter of the late senator and Foreign Affairs secretary Blas Ople, filed her certificate of candidacy as the lone senatorial bet of the Nacionalista Party (NP) on Friday.
Like her father, the 53-year-old Ople said she will prioritize the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
“We aim to show the power of the OFW (overseas Filipino workers) vote in 2016. Though quite far away, our overseas workers are now directly in touch with their families through social media. I am confident that they would harness their convincing power to ensure that the right people make it through popular vote,” Ople said.
Ople said among issues that she aims to bring back in the national agenda include are the collection of terminal fees from OFWs, the “outdated laws and unethical practices” that led to the “indiscriminate” opening of “balikbayan” boxes, and illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
If elected senator, Ople said she plans to craft a law creating a Department for OFWs and Department of Maritime Affairs.
Asked about which presidential candidate NP would support in the 2016 elections, Ople said the party has yet to decide.
A staunch anti-human trafficking advocate, Ople served as chief of staff and public information officer of her late father. In 2010, Ople ran for senator but lost. IDL