MANILA, Philippines — A short children’s book ignited a heated exchange between Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros during a budget hearing in the Senate, but what exactly is the content of the book?
Front cover of the book
As stated by Duterte herself, her self-authored book titled “Isang Kaibigan” (A Friend) revolves around friendship.
Based on a book’s copy obtained by INQUIRER.net, it tells the tale of an owl whose home was struck by a storm. In his time of distress, a parrot came to his aid and offered the owl temporary shelter.
Screenshot of the biography of the book’s author
In total, the book is composed of 16 colored pages—but only eight pages are filled with the story itself.
At the end of the book, a portrait of the Vice President is shown with the caption: “Siya ay isang tunay na kaibigan” (she is a true friend.)
This is the book the Office of the Vice President is seeking P10 million for in its 2025 proposed budget to fund its publication.
During the hearing, Hontiveros asked about the book that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is eyeing to distribute in remote areas.
READ: Duterte, Hontiveros clash over ‘politicizing’ budget hearings
While requesting additional information about the book, Duterte accused Hontiveros of politicizing the budget.
This drew the ire of Hontiveros, who reminded Duterte that what she was asking about was the budget, and had nothing to do with politics.