< List

VP SARA DUTERTE’S CHILDREN’S BOOK ‘ISANG KAIBIGAN’, CRITICIZED

ImHenyo Writer
M
Jessica
2024.08.22
Likes 3
Views601
Comments 0

“Isang Kaibigan” written by Vice President Sara Duterte needed P10 million from the 2025 national budget for publishing and distribution f(Photo courtesy of Rappler)

 

After Vice President Sara Duterte requested for P10 million allocation in the 2025 national budget so her children’s book could be distributed to learners, which plans to print out 200,000 copies, costing P50 each; has become the topic of heated discussions and some social media users have speculated.

 

VP Sara Duterte’s children’s book “Isang Kaibigan” is about friendship featuring an owl as the main character who was abandoned by almost all of his friends after a storm destroyed his home. When he grew lonely and hungry, a parrot offered to help him rebuild his nest and provided him shelter, showing that true friends do not leave each other in times of need. 

 

According to Duterte this project “aims to encourage the children to love reading and to write their own stories.” The book is part of OVP’s flagship program “PagbaBAGo Campaign” that involves the distribution of one million bags containing the book itself.

 

Meanwhile, social media users have criticized VP Duterte’s book saying it was plagiarized and similar to ‘Owly’, a children’s book authored by American writer Andy Runton. Netizens also pointed out the similarity between the main character of “Isang Kaibigan” to one Canva’s (a graphic design platform) graphics.

 

But according to OVP Spokesperson Michael Poa, the book secured a copyright registration a month after it was launched during the National Reading Month in November 2023 when she was the Education Secretary.

 

Senator Risa Hontiveros and VP Sara Duterte had a heated argument when discussing the budget allocation for the book. Hontiveros said the budget for the “duplicating” items in the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed funding for 2025, including the “improper” P10-million allocation for the distribution of the children’s book will be realigned.

 

“I would also insert amendments to the P10-million item that would be used to distribute copies of Isang Kaibigan. That’s the purpose of interpellation in a hearing, to explore. That’s a request. Because if you wrote a book, if you are the one who wrote it, government funds and taxpayers’ money should not be used to distribute it,” Hontiveros said. 

 

 

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

 

 

 

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]

Comments

NEWS

PAGASA: CYCLONE MAY FORM INSIDE PAR BETWEEN DECEMBER 16 TO 22 N
M
Jessica
Views 29
Likes 1
2024.12.11
PAGASA: CYCLONE MAY FORM INSIDE PAR BETWEEN DECEMBER 16 TO 22
SOFRONIO VASQUEZ BECOMES FIRST FILIPINO AND ASIAN TO WIN 'THE VOICE USA' N
M
Jessica
Views 28
Likes 1
2024.12.11
SOFRONIO VASQUEZ BECOMES FIRST FILIPINO AND ASIAN TO WIN 'THE VOICE USA'
HIGHER SERVICE INCENTIVES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, ORDERED BY MARCOS N
M
Jessica
Views 25
Likes 1
2024.12.11
HIGHER SERVICE INCENTIVES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, ORDERED BY MARCOS
MERALCO POWER RATES UP BY P0.1048/KWH IN DECEMBER N
M
Jessica
Views 34
Likes 1
2024.12.11
MERALCO POWER RATES UP BY P0.1048/KWH IN DECEMBER
PHIVOLCS WARNS FURTHER ERUPTIONS AND LAHARS; HEALTH RISKS OVER KANLAON N
M
Jessica
Views 31
Likes 1
2024.12.11
PHIVOLCS WARNS FURTHER ERUPTIONS AND LAHARS; HEALTH RISKS OVER KANLAON
AIR FRANCE INAUGURATES MANILA-PARIS FLIGHTS AFTER 20 YEARS HIATUS
M
Jessica
Views 32
Likes 1
2024.12.10
AIR FRANCE INAUGURATES MANILA-PARIS FLIGHTS AFTER 20 YEARS HIATUS
OVER 1,900 NAMES RECEIVED OVP’S CONFIDENTIAL FUND, 405 NONEXISTENT
M
Jessica
Views 39
Likes 1
2024.12.10
OVER 1,900 NAMES RECEIVED OVP’S CONFIDENTIAL FUND, 405 NONEXISTENT
MIXED OIL PRICE MOVEMENTS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 10
M
Jessica
Views 107
Likes 1
2024.12.10
MIXED OIL PRICE MOVEMENTS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 10
DOH CAUTIONS AGAINST SALTY, FATTY, SWEET DISHES DURING HOLIDAYS
M
Jessica
Views 33
Likes 1
2024.12.10
DOH CAUTIONS AGAINST SALTY, FATTY, SWEET DISHES DURING HOLIDAYS
KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTED, ALERT LEVEL RAISED TO 3
M
Jessica
Views 41
Likes 1
2024.12.09
KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTED, ALERT LEVEL RAISED TO 3
P88 BILLION IN TAXES LOST BY THE GOVERNMENT DUE TO FAKE PWD IDS
M
Jessica
Views 44
Likes 1
2024.12.09
P88 BILLION IN TAXES LOST BY THE GOVERNMENT DUE TO FAKE PWD IDS
DFA CAUTIONS PINOYS IN SYRIA AMID ASSAD REGIME’S FALL
M
Jessica
Views 35
Likes 1
2024.12.09
DFA CAUTIONS PINOYS IN SYRIA AMID ASSAD REGIME’S FALL
ITCZ, AMIHAN, SHEAR LINE TO BRING RAINS OVER PARTS OF PH – PAGASA
M
Jessica
Views 113
Likes 3
2024.12.09
ITCZ, AMIHAN, SHEAR LINE TO BRING RAINS OVER PARTS OF PH – PAGASA
PBBM ORDERS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BRING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO ALL COMMUNITIES
M
Jessica
Views 36
Likes 3
2024.12.09
PBBM ORDERS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BRING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO ALL COMMUNITIES
PROVINCIAL BUSES TEMPORARILY ALLOWED ON EDSA STARTING DECEMBER 20 – MMDA
M
Jessica
Views 56
Likes 3
2024.12.07
 PROVINCIAL BUSES TEMPORARILY ALLOWED ON EDSA STARTING DECEMBER 20 – MMDA
1 2 3 4 5