Toots Ople on Cabinet post: I'm still discerning

Former Labor undersecretary Susan “Toots” Ople said Wednesday she is still making consultations as to whether she will accept the offer of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the Department of Migrant Workers.

This as Ople, advocate of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), confirmed that she was offered the post under the Marcos administration.

She said she was humbled and gratified with the offer, which happened during a meeting last week.

“We met last Friday, and it was a warm, and inspiring meeting. He (BBM) spoke about the need to get the new department up and running, and for it to care for our OFWs and also develop programs for their families especially the children of migrant workers,” Ople said in a news release.

“Given his kind offer for me to return to public service, I am now in a process of discernment and consultations – because I am aware of the enormity of the task and the challenges involved,” she added. 

Joining the meeting at the Marcos residence were former Labor secretary Benny Laguesma, former lawmaker Anton Lagdameo, and Marcos’ spokesperson, Atty. Vic Rodriguez.

Laguesma was offered to once again lead the Labor department.

So far, presumptive vice president Sara Duterte and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos accepted the offers to lead the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, respectively.—AOL, GMA News