Team DailyPedia
Vice President Sara Duterte’s children’s book has become a focal point of controversy following a heated Senate budget hearing on August 20.
The book, titled ‘Isang Kaibigan’ (A Friend), is at the center of a ₱10 million budget request by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for its publication and distribution to students in remote areas.
The book, which Duterte authored, tells the story of an owl whose home is destroyed by a storm. A parrot then comes to the owl’s aid, offering temporary shelter. The book spans 16 pages, with only eight pages dedicated to the story. At the end of the book, there is a portrait of Vice President Duterte accompanied by the caption: “Siya ay isang tunay na kaibigan”.
However, the book has drawn criticism for alleged plagiarism and the use of graphics reportedly sourced from Canva, a popular online design tool.
Veteran journalist Tony Velasquez highlighted the issue on X (formerly Twitter), tagging the creator of the Owly graphic novels and noting the similarities between Duterte’s book and the Owly series. Velasquez questioned whether the resemblance was merely coincidental.
“”Hi @Owly. Here’s a children’s book about an owl and his friends, published under the name of the Philippine VP Sara Duterte. Some folks observed the book looks quite similar to your Owly graphic novels. Coincidence? ” he tweeted.
Hi @Owly. Here’s a children’s book about an owl and his friends, published under the name of the Philippine VP Sara Duterte. Some folks observed the book looks quite similar to your Owly graphic novels. Coincidence? pic.twitter.com/BLYScK6FdW
— Tony Velasquez (@KakanTuring) August 21, 2024
— James AB (@JamesAB_FK) August 21, 2024
Further concerns were raised about the book’s illustrations, which some online users claim were taken from Canva, despite the book crediting Janina Simbillo and Joseph Caligner as its illustrators.
Further compounding the controversy, parts of the book were found to contain proofreading errors, raising questions about the quality of the publication.
During the Senate hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the budget allocation for the book, asking for more details about its content and purpose. Duterte, in response, accused Hontiveros of politicizing the budget discussion. Hontiveros, however, insisted that her questions were focused on budget transparency and accountability, not politics.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning both the originality of the book and the necessity of the substantial budget requested for its publication. The issue has raised broader concerns about transparency and the use of public funds, as well as the ethical implications of the book’s content and production.
