31/08/2023
AN OPEN LETTER
TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT FERDINAND "BONGBONG" ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
We, of BAGONG PILIPINAS (Worldwide 🇵🇭✌️), join our fellow Filipinos in mourning the passing of Secretary Maria Susana “Toots” Vasquez Ople, the first secretary of the newly created Department of Migrant Workers.
Ople left a legacy of a life dedicated to improving the welfare of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)---in consonance with your vision Mr. President---that will be remembered for generations to come.
It is undeniable that the shoes left vacant by Secretary Ople are large to fill, but as we look forward, it is imperative for us to continue the work she started and build upon her achievements for the betterment of our migrant workers’ community.
Indeed, Ople’s passing is a big loss to our country, thus we shall not fail her advocacy Mr. President by naming the rightful successor who embodies the same dedication and commitment to OFWs.
In this regard, we are honored to ask you Mr. President, to appoint lawyer Silvestre “Bebot” Hernando Bello III to take over the post of secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers.
Bello is the fittest to be the new secretary, considering his years of work experience, in various capacity, under at least four past presidents. Known to all, Bello is the ultimate man, at present dispensation, who possess the competence to carry forward the administration’s mission for the welfare of OFWs.
In this challenging period of our country, when the rights and well-being of migrant workers remain a paramount concern, it is crucial that we have a leader who can champion their cause effectively.
We therefore request that you give serious consideration to Bebot Bello, whose experience, dedication, and passion for the welfare of migrant workers make him an ideal choice to continue the important work started by Ople, and to fulfill the goal of this administration.
Bello, currently the de facto Ambassador to Taiwan for being the chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), carries vast experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government.
Bello’s management expertise, negotiation skills, and legal acumen had been tempered in executive branch works as Isabela Governor, Justice Secretary, Solicitor General, Cabinet Secretary, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on insurgency, and Chairman of the GRP Negotiating Panel for Peace Talks with the communist terrorists.
He also stood tall in the legislative branch when he got elected as congressional representative, and then he developed his love and commitment to the welfare of migrant workers during his stint as Duterte’s Labor secretary.
We, of the Bagong Pilipinas (Worldwide🇵🇭✌️) organization, openly express our support for the appointment of Silvestre "Bebot" Bello III as the new DMW Secretary to succeed the late Secretary Ople. Putting Mr. Bello at the right place in this challenging phase of the Marcos administration, significant strides in the working conditions of OFWs---even innovative measures---are expected.
Stay united, stay passionate, and let's cement the impression the world has on what kind of workers, Filipinos are, here and abroad.
Go, Mr. President! We trust and believe in you to name the right man for the job---Secretary Bebot Bello III!
BMPB
