HARDLY ON SAME PAGE Questions regarding a storybook written by Vice President Sara Duterte lead to a verbal tussle between her and Sen. Risa Hontiveros during Tuesday’s budget hearing. Things got testy after Duterte refused to directly answer why P10 million must be spent to distribute “Isang Kaibigan (A Friend),” its cover and author’s page shown in the insets. SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT/CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday said there was no plagiarism involved in the making of Vice President Sara Duterte’s controversial book “Isang Kaibigan.”
READ: VP Sara’s ‘Isang Kaibigan’ book sparks heated exchange in Senate
“Wala po (none),” OVP spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters through Viber when asked if there is plagiarism involved in the book.
According to Poa, Duterte’s self-authored book already has a copyright registration from 2023.
“Yes, mayroon pong copyright registration ang Isang Kaibigan (Isang Kaibigan has a copyright registration),” Poa told reporters through Viber.
“The book has been registered since December 2023,” he added.
Meanwhile, Poa also reiterated that the book is not for sale, as it is meant to be distributed for free to public schools nationwide.
The plagiarism allegations stemmed from observations made by netizens on social media—pointing out that the book bore uncanny resemblance to an American graphic novel titled, “Owly Just a Little Blue,” by Andy Runton.
Some netizens also pointed out the similarity between the main character of “Isang Kaibigan” to one Canva’s (a graphic design platform) graphics.
Duterte herself describes the book to be about friendship, as it tells the tale of an owl whose home was struck by a storm, where in his time of distress, a parrot came to his aid and offered the owl temporary shelter.
In total, Duterte’s book is composed of 16 colored pages—but only eight pages are filled with the story itself.
The OVP is requesting P10 million in its 2025 proposed budget to fund its publication.
READ: Duterte, Hontiveros clash over ‘politicizing’ budget hearings
During a Senate hearing, the book ignited a heated argument between Duterte and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
While Hontiveros was 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.