House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro lambasted Vice President Sara Duterte for seeking P10 million from taxpayers to print a children’s book she allegedly authored, but is suspected to be at least partially-plagiarized.
“Napakaraming problema ng bansa mula sa unemployment, mababang sahod, mataas na presyo ng bilihin, kawalan ng lupa ng mga magsasaka, kakulangan ng classroom, panghihimasok ng China at US at napakarami pang iba na pwedeng paglaanan ng pondo tapos hihingi ng P10 milyon para sa paglimbag ng aklat na di naman mandato ng OVP at pagpromote ng kanyang sarili,” said the teacher solon.
Rep. Castro highlighted concerns over possible plagiarism, stating, “Mukhang ang style din ngayon ay hindi gagayahin outright ang source material, yung general idea lang at mga characters para di masabing plagiarized pero partially-plagiarized pa din ito kung titignan. Kawawa naman si Owly at author nitong si Andy Runton.”
She further criticized the Vice President’s spending priorities, questioning, “Ang malupit pa ay may susunod pa daw siyang libro, ano iyon sa pondo ng mamamayan din nya gustong kunin?”
Rep. Castro emphasized a pattern of actions by VP Duterte that stray from her official duties, “It seems that VP Duterte has a penchant for doing things that are not her mandate like the P125 million confidential funds that she spent in 11 days in 2022, or writing books using public funds, or ordering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to tighten their security and not allow media access to the airport because she was caught leaving for Germany at the height of Typhoon Carina. This is the problem when someone who is used to being followed without question and accountability holds public office. Feeling nila alipin nila ang lahat,” ended Rep. Castro.
