news

Part 4. Senator Tito Sotto's chief of staff admits he used Sarah Pope's blog

by Erwin Santiago posted on August 17, 2012  STATS: 50456 Views | 96 Comments

Inamin ng chief of staff ni Senator Tito Sotto na si Atty. Hector Villacorta na kinopya nila ang bahagi ng akda ng American blogger na si Sarah Pope para sa “turno en contra” speech ng senador, kaugnay ng mainit na pinag-uusapang Reproductive Health Bill o RH Bill.

Photo By: Nerisa Almo

Inamin ng chief of staff ni Senator Tito Sotto na kinopya nila ang bahagi ng akda ng American blogger na si Sarah Pope para sa “turno en contra” speech ng senador, kaugnay ng mainit na pinag-uusapang Reproductive Health Bill o RH Bill.

Nag-post ng comment si Atty. Hector Villacorta sa comment page ng pinakabagong entry ni Sarah, sa kanyang blog na The Healthy Home Economist, na may titulong “On Plagiarism, The Pill, and Presumptuousness.”

Nagpakilala si Atty. Villacorta bilang chief of staff ni Senator Sotto.

Sinabi nito na ang staff ng senador ang kumopya sa isinulat ni Sarah nang walang proper attribution.

Humingi rin ng paumanhin ang chief of staff ni Senator Sotto sa nagawa nilang pagkakamali.

Narito ang kabuuang mensahe ni Atty. Villacorta kay Sarah:

"I understand you felt slighted that your blog was not attributed to you which became part of the speech of the senator. let me say that after asking my staff, indeed, your blog was used but only in quoting also from the same book of dr campbell-mcbride.

"we are both indebted to the book's author but if you wish that you also be credited with the contents of the book, let this be your affirmation.

“I can do it and by this message, I am doing it. hope it satisfies you. but if it does not, what would you want us to do?

"what have we done to deserve your incriminating words. the senator did not lift it himself, we did.

“did you want us to tell him to admit what he did not do? who would you like to crucify for this oversight?

“all the unborn wants very much the right to be born and they need everybody’s help, including yours.

“remember, rizal was the seventh child of 11 children of teodora alonso and francisco mercado.

“be on or side please, and don’t deflect the debate to this matter of plagiarism. it is so out of sync in this great debate. join us in the side of life and truth.

"forgive us our single trespass. we had no malice, we thought you would be happy about it. there was no injury. hope this makes you feel better.”

1  2  3  Next »

more on this story

Show/Hide Comments

96 Comments

  • 96  liwayway

    08/20/2012 | 02:02 AM
    senator laughingstock.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 95  starqueen

    08/19/2012 | 11:07 PM
    Lack of education and lack of integrity is what defines this Senator. Kakahiya.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 94  gormiti_2009

    08/19/2012 | 07:49 PM
    ito b ang klase ng mga mambabatas na gusto natin para sa ating bansa, ne hindi kayang gumawa ng sariling speech nila, no wonder mahirap na bansa tayo, parami pa tayo ng parami, wala namang maipakain sa mga anak......
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 93  maloumrivera

    08/19/2012 | 05:08 PM
    para sa kin yung mga taong ayaw sa RH BILL na yan ano ang nagagawa nila sa mga batang walang mga kakayanang pag aralin ng kanilang mga magulang sa panahong ito siguro dapat lang nating tanggapin na ang pamumuhay sa PILIPINAS ay di na tulad noong arw at yang mga SOTTO kahit isang daang anak kaya nilang bigyan ng magandang buhay pero tayong isang kahig isang tuka lang dapat nating tanggapin na ito ang dapat sa ating mga PINOY kaya tayong mga PINOY lagi na sa mga pangit na kategorya nahanay......sana naman maging na ang mga tulad kong mahihirap lang at walang kakayahang mamuhay tulad ng mayayaman...siguro kung ilalagay natin sa ayos ang buhay natin at magiging positve ang pananaw antin......kahit anong AWA ANG GAWIN NG DIYOS SA ATIN KUNG DI TAYO KIKILOS WALNG MANGYAYARI SA ATIN>>>>para sa kin MANGMANG LANG ANG DI TATANGGAP SA RH BILL NA YAN >>>>>>LOOK ...WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW TO OUR COUNTRY......over populated at over corrupt pa ang mga nagdaang gov't officials at karmihan ng nabubulagan at involve sa maling pagpapaikot ng mga gov't officials ay yung mga mahihirap kasi nga kahit sa patalim ay hahawak maka survive lang kasi nga sa dami ng anak.....SANA MAGISING NGA TAYONG MGA PINOY..
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 92  starqueen

    08/19/2012 | 04:04 PM
    I must have hurt someone's feelings with my comment. Anyway, just proves my point.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 91  danyap

    08/19/2012 | 02:53 PM
    I remember same thing happens with Mr. Manny Pangilinan,he committed plagiarism from one of his speech in Ateneo. But, he apologized and resigned from the position. I'm not telling Sen. Sotto to do the same, but just remember that you are being a public servant - the epitome of integrity. And let me quote "it takes a true man of character to admit when is wrong"
    Reply |  1 Replies
    0   0   0  
    danyap
    08/19/2012 | 07:26 PM
    CORRECTED: I remember same thing happens with Mr. Manny Pangilinan,he committed plagiarism from one of his speech in Ateneo. But, he apologized and resigned from the position. I'm not telling Sen. Sotto to do the same, but just remember that you are being a public servant - the epitome of integrity. And let me quote "it takes a true man of character to admit when HE is wrong"
  • 90  starqueen

    08/19/2012 | 11:59 AM
    *** This comment has been deactivated due to inappropriate content ***
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 89  starqueen

    08/19/2012 | 11:56 AM
    *** This comment has been deactivated due to inappropriate content ***
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 88  IMaPeper2

    08/17/2012 | 09:36 PM
    Anong klaseng apology yan? Napaka-hostile ang dating ng letter. I wonder if they even read the book? I think I would blame the speechwriter.
    Reply |  4 Replies
    0   0   0  
    halabira
    08/18/2012 | 05:32 AM
    obviously,the senator does not know the word plagiarism..balik ka na lang sa wanbol university...
    Monicafer
    08/18/2012 | 07:43 AM
    The speechwriter cannot be blamed. Once the draft speech was reviewed and approved for submission to the Senator, the responsibility of the speechwriter ends. The burden is with the approving officer. The subject being a delicate issue, the Senator himself should have checked on the information provided.
    Txmel1
    08/19/2012 | 12:59 PM
    You;ve gotta be kidding. If the speechwriter did his job properly, they wouldnt have this sht storm to deal with in the first place.
    Monicafer
    08/19/2012 | 08:32 PM
    Reply to Txmel1 I am not kidding. I worked with the head of agencies in a reputable organization, we have speechwriters who did the drafting that had to undergo several editing and checking by other officers and final screening and approval of the Chief of the Cabinet before it goes to the head of the office. If by any chance, something went wrong in report or speech, the head of the office or the Chief of the Cabinet will not put the blame on the speechwriters. They, themselves will admit the mistake command responsibility and issue a humble apology. It's as simple as that, admit the mistake and issue a humble apology - end of the story.
  • 87  strawberryjam88

    08/17/2012 | 05:40 PM
    Mr. Sotto, hire a blogger or a Content Writer to research and write your speeches. Iyong talagang may talent sa pagsusulat. Basahin mo nga ang reply ng tauhan mo sa blog ni Ms. Pope, walang dating! Tatalunin ito ng mga ordinaryong outsource writers dito sa atin. "we had no malice" daw, the mere fact na ginamit mo ang hindi sa iyo na walang permission or proper attribution, ano ang tawag mo doon??? Be humble naman. Humingi ng paumanhin na mula sa puso. Ikaw na mali, ikaw pa ang tila galit???
    Reply |  1 Replies
    0   0   0  
    Monicafer
    08/18/2012 | 07:46 AM
    In addition, an arrogant response was provided to Ms. Pope.
  • 86  strawberryjam88

    08/17/2012 | 05:31 PM
    Where is humility here? Inamin mo na nangopya ka pero tila galit ka pa?
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 85  jrivera999

    08/17/2012 | 05:23 PM
    you already plagiarized her work and you still have the gall to tell her that you are just both quoting from the same source. Do you understand what plagiarism is? Very insulting to the blogger and this just emphasizes your lack of knowledge. How did you become the chief of staff, atty villacorta?
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 84  lumo12

    08/17/2012 | 05:14 PM
    Be A Man mr Sotto! Admit ur mistakes! No more lying! And same goes to your chief of staff! If u people are sorry, then no need to be sarcastic. politeness does all the credit u know! Anyway, hoping this issue ends well!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 83  ramb0

    08/17/2012 | 05:01 PM
    Escalera ba naman eh, produkto ng Wanbol University, magaling sa kopyahan. Tama nga naman, sana tinagalog na lang nya ang speech nya at nang di nahalata.
    Reply |  1 Replies
    0   0   0  
    rom_05
    08/17/2012 | 07:03 PM
    that will require too much work. Hindi pa kasi perfect ang google translate eh.
  • 82  toinkyme

    08/17/2012 | 04:05 PM
    *** This comment has been deactivated due to inappropriate content ***
    Reply |  1 Replies
    0   0   0  
    toinkyme
    08/17/2012 | 04:32 PM
    wow, there's too much protection going on in here. no freedom of speech at all. i respect that if you want to control posts here since it's you site anyway. can you please put clear guidelines of what not to post, i'm pretty sure my post was within the existing guidelines. you should put there "depending on the moderator's feeling" so we won't be surprised if it gets removed..
  • 81  mangtemi

    08/17/2012 | 03:37 PM
    i'm a pro RHbill but i think this certain sarah is just kulang sa pansin.
    Reply |  2 Replies
    0   0   0  
    toinkyme
    08/17/2012 | 04:33 PM
    mmm, if your name is Sarah, then i agree with you
    Monicafer
    08/18/2012 | 07:48 AM
    If you are Sarah, I am sure you will not appreciate the response by the Chief of Staff.
  • 80  aiskeep

    08/17/2012 | 02:15 PM
    im a pro RhBill, dun sa mga nagsasabi na sundin na lang ang ginagawa ng china na 2 child policy eh sa tingin nyo ba susunod ang mga pinoy, paglikas nga lang sa baha sapilitan pa eh...
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 79  aiskeep

    08/17/2012 | 02:13 PM
    Grandstanding pa naman ang speech ni tito sen with matching pagluha, may presentation pa with backround music ng tanging yaman, nag moment talaga sya, kaya lang nasira sya dahil nabuking na nangopya lang sya ng speech, sayang ang pinapa sweldo mo sa speech writer mo..
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 78  jam2012

    08/17/2012 | 01:50 PM
    eto lang masasabi ko sau Mr. Sotto.........."EAT BULAGAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 77  jam2012

    08/17/2012 | 01:40 PM
    winged_angel....blogger made an article and based it on the study of doctor...but blogger state it in her own way.....while sotto copied exactly how ms blogger stated the study of doctor in her blog....as in sotto copied word for word....now gets mo na?
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  

more comments

PEP TV

PEP NEWS REWIND

Search Articles by Artist or Full Name

MOST POPULAR

  • Fetching Most Popular

MOST SHARED

  • Fetching Most Shared

MOST TALKED ABOUT

  • Fetching Most Talk About