Vice President Sara Duterte has denied allegations that her self-written children’s book, “Isang Kaibigan (A Friend),” was copied. In a statement released late Wednesday, Duterte addressed the claims and clarified that the book was crafted from her personal experiences.
“It’s simple to write a story based on one’s own experiences; there’s no need to copy,” Duterte said, highlighting that the book’s goal is to inspire children to read and write their own stories.
The controversy started after writer Ninotchka Rosca and social media users pointed out similarities between Duterte’s book and “Owly: Just a Little Blue” by Andy Runton. Critics noted similarities in the owl illustrations and the plot involving birds in a damaged tree.
Michael Poa, spokesperson for the Office of the Vice President, has rejected the plagiarism claims, noting that the book is copyrighted and has been registered since December 2023. The proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President includes a P10 million allocation for the book, which aims to distribute up to 200,000 copies to children in remote areas.
During Senate budget discussions, VP Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros had a heated exchange. Hontiveros questioned the book’s purpose and suggested reallocating the P10 million to other needs, which Duterte saw as political maneuvering.
Duterte also revealed plans for a sequel to “Isang Kaibigan,” focusing on “a friend’s betrayal.” This comes amid ongoing debates about the appropriateness of using public funds for the book project.
Rep. France Castro criticized Duterte’s spending priorities, arguing that the P10 million should be redirected to more essential services rather than a book project she views as self-promotion. Castro also referenced previous controversies involving Duterte’s use of funds.
The Indie Publishers Collab Philippines expressed concern about the disparity in opportunities for children’s writers, contrasting the privilege of a nationally distributed book with the limited resources available to independent publishers.
The situation has sparked a broader discussion about public funding, literary integrity, and the role of government officials in cultural projects.