Sara’s book plagiarized? Risa to block P10 million budget

MANILA, Philippines — Social media and online forums were abuzz yesterday after claims circulated that the picture book authored by Vice President Sara Duterte bore strong similarities to the story in a children’s book written by an American author.

Following the heated argument between Duterte and Sen. Risa Hontiveros over the proposed P10-million budget for the printing of Duterte’s book “Isang Kaibigan,” renowned author Ninotchka Rosca posted the cover of the children’s book “Owly: Just a Little Blue” written by Andy Runton.

Rosca captioned the post with the book’s description: “Owly Just a Little Blue is the second book in the graphic novel Owly series by Andy Runton. Owly discovers a new bluebird and decides to build a home to help it. It’s not an easy task to build or to make friends with the new bird family. But, Owly is determined and kind.”

“Ay, natawa ako (I laughed),” she added, as Rosca’s post fueled allegations that Duterte’s book was plagiarized.

But the OVP, through its spokesman Michael Poa, completely denied that Duterte’s book was plagiarized.

“The book has a copyright registration and it has been registered since December 2023,” Poa told reporters.

Launched in November 2023, “Isang Kaibigan” is a 16-page picture book that tells the story of friendship between an owl and a parrot. The owl helps the parrot rebuild its nest after it is damaged by a storm.

Meanwhile, “Owly: Just a Little Blue” follows the story of an owl and a worm as they help build a home for a bluebird family living in a damaged tree.

Budget

Poa, in a radio interview, said the requested budget of P10 million will cover the printing of additional copies of the book.

The estimated cost of printing per copy is P50, so the budget can cover around 200,000 copies that will be distributed to public school students, he said.

Poa also denied that the Vice President is engaging in early campaigning with the distribution of the picture books.

On “Storycon” on One News, publisher Andrea Pasion-Flores, owner of Milflores Publishing Inc., noted that the intent of Duterte’s book is for it to be read along with an adult.

“It’s a children’s story, for sure, it’s short enough for a young child to understand. I feel it’s not something that’s made for a child to read on his or her own, but for an adult to read with the child, so it could be a read-along book,” she said.

Flores, a former executive director of the National Book Development Board, said children’s books often tackle serious topics in a way that can be easily understood by children, such as calamities and disasters.

“I feel that (“Isang Kaibigan” being a read-along book is) important because of the topic of the book. The book has a tragedy… that has to be explained to a young child because it’s very traumatic for someone to lose their homes and that’s probably a common experience among our countrymen in times of crisis,” she added.

Flores also explained the rigorous process of publishing in the private sector.

“Our contracts, when we procure… would have provisions wherein it is stated that the author assures the publisher that the work is original,” she said.

Asked about allegations of plagiarism on Duterte’s book, Flores said she cannot comment on the matter as she has not read Runton’s book.

“I can’t say categorically that it’s plagiarized… In the end, copyright is a private right. It’s the person who was infringed who must confront the infringer. I hope it’s not plagiarized,” she added.

The Sanlinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns condemned Duterte’s request for P10 million next year to fund the publication of her book.

The group’s spokesman, Miguel Gonzales, said Duterte was just using the issue to shield her incompetence when she was education secretary under the Marcos administration.

Instead of allocating P10 million to the Office of the Vice President, Gonzales said it is better to use the funds for the publication and improvement of textbooks.

He added the government should also allocate a higher budget for social services for children.

Aid Politicized?

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said yesterday he will look into the complaint of Vice President Duterte that the supposed financial assistance and relief goods meant for indigents are sometimes politicized at the grassroots.

He said he still does not know the context of Duterte’s statement so he intends to seek clarification from her office.

“First things first, I will get in touch with her office so we can get the details and investigate this matter thoroughly,” he said in an interview with GMA News.

Duterte made the statement before a Senate panel conducting a hearing on her office’s proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025, 8.05 percent higher than this year’s appropriation.

She claimed there were instances when the Department of Social Welfare and Development refused to extend financial assistance endorsed by her office as she is on the “other side of the political fence.”

Gatchalian made assurances that despite Duterte’s claims, the agency always extends all forms of assistance to anyone in need, regardless of whether one has a referral or not.— Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla