Vice President Sara Z. Duterte addressed recent allegations of plagiarism regarding her self-authored children’s book, Isang Kaibigan (“A Friend”), amid ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers and the public. The book, part of the Office of the Vice President’s “PagbaBAGo Campaign,” has come under fire for allegedly borrowing content without proper attribution, a claim Duterte strongly refutes.
In a public statement released on August 21, 2024, Duterte emphasized the ease of writing original stories based on personal experiences, stating, “Napakadaling sumulat ng maikling kwento batay sa sariling karanasan, hindi na kailangang mangopya pa.” She reiterated that the purpose of the project is to encourage young children to embrace reading and to write their own stories, not to serve as a vehicle for plagiarism.
Duterte’s book tells the story of an unlikely friendship between an owl named Kwago and a parrot named Loro, highlighting values such as loyalty and support during challenging times. The book is set to be distributed to young learners as part of the government’s initiative to promote reading in remote communities.
However, the project became a focal point of controversy during a recent Senate budget hearing, where Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the allocation of ₱10 million from the proposed 2025 budget for the printing and distribution of 200,000 copies of the book. The books are intended to be included in one million school bags distributed to students in underserved areas. Critics have expressed concern over the budget’s timing and necessity, suggesting that the funds could be better utilized to address more pressing educational needs.
In her defense, Duterte asserted that the book’s primary goal is to instill essential life lessons in young readers, clarifying that it is not a campaign tool despite concerns that her name being prominently featured might have political undertones. She also hinted at a future writing project, revealing plans to pen another book on the theme of betrayal by a friend. “Abangan ninyo ang susunod kong isusulat na libro tungkol sa pagtataksil ng isang kaibigan,” Duterte said, adding a layer of intrigue to her future literary endeavors.