Katrina Ponce Enrile, Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), has urged Vice President Sara Duterte to finance the publication and distribution of her self-authored children’s book, Isang Kaibigan (A Friend), using her personal funds. This statement comes after questions were raised about the inclusion of a P10-million budget allocation for the book’s printing in the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2025 budget.
Enrile, daughter of presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, made her remarks during a recent episode of Leslie Bocobo Live, aired on Radyo ng Pilipinas. She emphasized the need for proper scrutiny and deliberation when public funds are requested under the General Appropriation Act. Enrile also stressed that government officials should serve as role models, noting that how they manage public funds reflects their integrity and humility.
The P10-million allocation has been a point of contention, with opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros questioning its inclusion in the OVP budget. In response, Vice President Duterte defended the allocation, dismissing the issue as politically motivated due to the election season. Duterte’s book, launched in November 2023, tells the story of an owl who finds support from a parrot after losing his home, symbolizing true friendship.
Hontiveros criticized Duterte’s reaction, underscoring her right to question public spending, especially when it involves taxpayers’ money. The book is currently being distributed to some public schools at no cost.