OVP denies Sara's 'Isang Kaibigan' book plagiarized

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday denied that the children's book "Isang Kaibigan," which Vice President Sara Duterte authored herself, was plagiarized amid allegations online.

In a message to reporters, OVP spokesperson Michael Poa said the book has a copyright registration and has been registered since December 2023.

"Wala po (none)," Poa said when asked if there was any act of plagiarism committed.

Netizens have pointed out the resemblance of "Isang Kaibigan" with the graphic novel of American author and artist Andy Runton titled, "Owly Just a Little Blue". Both books feature an owl as a main character, and teaches the value of friendship and kindness.

Duterte's book tells the story of an owl who lost his bird friends when a storm damaged his home. Amid his desolation, a friendly parrot offered to help the owl rebuild his nest, proving that true friends never leave in times of need.

The children's book was launched in November 2023, and is being distributed to some public schools for free.

"Not being sold po ang book. In fact, 'yung nasa proposed budget is just for printing of the actual copies. Hindi po bibilhin ang book. Printing lang po," Poa said.

(The book is not being sold. In fact, we only proposed a budget just for printing of the actual copies. The book is not to be bought. It is just being printed.)

The book caught the attention of the netizens after Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday had a heated exchange over the alleged "politicizing" of the OVP's proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025.

During the budget deliberations, Hontiveros asked the Vice President what the children's book is all about.

However, Duterte did not immediately answer the question, and instead gave an example of how Hontiveros is "politicizing the budget of the government" during the recent Akbayan Congress.

The Vice President also implied that the senator is making a fuss about how the children's book bears Duterte's name as the author, and is being distributed all over the country.

"Madam Chair, this is an example of politicizing the budget hearing through the questions of a senator. Ang problema niya kasi nakalagay 'yung pangalan ko doon sa libro, at 'yung libro na 'yan, ibibigay namin doon sa mga bata at 'yung mga bata na 'yan may mga magulang na boboto at 'yung pangalan ko ay nagkalat doon sa kung saan man ibibigay 'yung libro," Duterte said.

(Her problem is that my name is written in the book and that book we will give it to the children whose parents are voters. My name will be all over the areas where the books will be given.)

Hontiveros, in response, said that she does not appreciate the kind of attitude that Duterte was displaying before the Senate panel.

"Madam Chair, hindi ko maintindihan 'yung ugali ng ating resource person. It is a simple question. Paulit-ulit na this is politicizing. Ang VP ang nagbanggit ng salitang boboto. Wala akong sinabing boboto. I'm simply asking. Hindi ko ma-imagine we're making so much trouble, so much fuss about a P10-million item," she said.

(Madam Chair, I don't understand the attitude of our resource person. It is a simple question. She repeatedly says this is politicizing. The VP mentioned the word vote. I never said anything about voting. I'm simply asking. I can't imagine we're making so much trouble, so much fuss about a P10-million item.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News