Vice President Sara Duterte’s book, “Isang Kaibigan,” is currently embroiled in controversy following a heated exchange during a Senate budget hearing. The discussion, led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, focused on the VP’s request for a budget of PHP 10 million to publish and distribute the book. Senator Hontiveros questioned the content of the book, seeking justification for the significant amount requested.
Instead of providing a detailed response, VP Duterte accused Senator Hontiveros of political grandstanding and brought up her support for the senator during the elections. This unexpected diversion did not sit well with many netizens, leading to widespread criticism of Duterte’s actions on various social media platforms. The incident also reignited discussions on the controversial PHP 125 million expenditure by the Vice President’s office within just 11 days.
The controversy took a new turn when allegations surfaced that “Isang Kaibigan” was plagiarized from “Owly: Just a Little Blue,” a book by Andy Runton published on March 1, 2005. The original work centers around two best friends, Owly and Wormy, who, with hearts full of kindness, try to help a bluebird family by building them a new home. However, their efforts are initially met with resistance, leading to a story about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of helping others.
Critics argue that the themes and content of “Isang Kaibigan” bear a striking resemblance to Runton’s work, raising questions about the originality of Duterte’s book. This has added another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the Vice President’s office, especially concerning the use of public funds.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how VP Duterte and her team will address these allegations and whether this will impact the proposed budget for the book’s publication and distribution. The situation highlights the broader issues of accountability and transparency in the use of government resources, especially when public funds are involved in creative endeavors.