IN a developing story within the academic community, Gold Star Daily’s correspondent and columnist Mary Angelica Amerkhan has publicly accused Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo, a researcher at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), of plagiarism.
The accusations emerged when Amerkhan noticed striking similarities between her original draft on the significance of sardines in the Philippines and Dr. Metillo’s recently published article in Mindanao Daily News, which covers similar themes and content.
The week before the article was published in a local newspaper, Amerkhan was approached by Jea Maraon Murillo, an intern at MSU-IIT’s Office of Research Dissemination, as referred by Dr. Premitivo Ragandang III.
Murillo was tasked with drafting an article discussing the nutritional, economic, and ecological importance of sardines, particularly during the pandemic.
After submitting her work, Amerkhan was surprised to discover that Dr. Metillo’s article was published shortly thereafter, containing several parallels to her original text.
Key Allegations
Amerkhan highlights several areas of concern, including:
Similar Structure and Themes
Both articles emphasize the role of sardines as a staple food for Filipino families, especially during challenging times. Amerkhan’s assertion that “sardines have been a staple food in Filipino households for generations” closely mirrors Metillo’s emphasis on their affordability and accessibility.
Economic Significance
Both authors address the economic importance of sardine fisheries. Amerkhan notes that “sardine fishing is not just about food — it is a key part of the country’s economy,” while Metillo discusses the financial value of the sardine canning industry, which he estimates at P10.45 billion.
Environmental Concerns
The articles also focus on the ecological implications of declining sardine populations. Amerkhan’s statement regarding the importance of sardines for marine biodiversity aligns closely with Metillo’s concerns about the plummeting sardine population and the presence of microplastics in their stomachs.
Need for Research
Both pieces underscore the necessity for further research into sardine populations and their ecosystems. Amerkhan mentions insights gained from recent studies conducted by MSU-IIT researchers, while Metillo emphasizes the need for research to inform sustainable fishing practices.
The Collaborative Process
The conversation between Murillo and Amerkhan illuminates the collaborative nature of drafting articles within academia:
Murillo: Good morning! I hope this message finds you well. I am Jea Maraon Murillo, an intern at MSU-IIT’s Office of Research Dissemination. We’re currently working on a project to feature MSU-IIT professors and their research. If Mindanao Gold Star Daily accepts feature articles, could you please share your submission guidelines?
Amerkhan: Hi, Ms. Jea! I’d like to know more about the articles you want to publish.
Murillo: We’re focusing on feature articles related to research conducted by MSU-IIT professors, especially from the College of Engineering and the College of Science and Mathematics.
Amerkhan: Interesting! Can you provide more background on the research?
Murillo: I will draft the articles after interviewing the professors, ensuring the content is suitable for publication.
This exchange highlights the importance of transparency and collaboration in academic writing.
Amerkhan later expressed her desire to review the final draft before publication to ensure accuracy and integrity.
Murillo: Just want to know if it’s possible to send me the edited version of the draft before publishing.? The subjects and office would like to check it.
After receiving the final draft, Murillo informed Amerkhan that “this is only a draft, but I will ensure my boss reviews it before sending the final version.”
Discovery of the Published Draft in Mindanao Daily
At 6:43 pm on February 25, Amerkhan received a text message from Murillo stating: “Good evening po, just received the decision of the office. We think that our goal and that of Mindanao Gold Star Daily do not align. Therefore, we respectfully would like to withdraw our request to publish this draft. Thank you for considering our request. We hope to work together in the future.”
On March 2, at 10:34 am, Dr. Ragandang accidentally sent a link to the Mindanao Daily article to Amerkhan, saying, “Hello ma’am An, thank you so much for this (the link). The university is very grateful. Hope to welcome you to IIT soon.”
Surprisingly, Amerkhan replied, “Good morning, Sir Ragandang, I am with Mindanao Gold Star Daily, not Mindanao Daily News.”
Ragandang responded, “Omg! My apologies, Ma’am An.”
Amerkhan then noted, “Dr. Metillo rejected the draft we sent to him.”
Ragandang’s link to the alleged article published in Mindanao Daily News also appeared on the MSU-IIT webpage, stating: “Mindanao Daily News recently featured the research of Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo.”
Dr. Metillo's Response to Allegations
When approached by this writer regarding the plagiarism allegations, Dr. Metillo did not deny the claims but instead directed the inquiry to Jea Murillo.
He stated, “She submitted the article to Gold Star, but when Jea showed me the Gold Star draft, many items were missing. So I informed Jea to consider other platforms as Gold Star removed many items from the article that Jea wrote and I edited.”
Despite multiple attempts by the writer to elicit a more direct response regarding the plagiarism allegations, Dr. Metillo continued to refer the matter back to Murillo.
He stated, “Please discuss with Miss Murillo first before I address accusations or allegations of plagiarism, which I find impossible to entertain given my unblemished history in publication as a scientist.”
When pressed for comments specifically regarding the plagiarism allegations, Dr. Metillo suggested involving the Research and Dissemination Office for further discussion.
However, in a subsequent email, Dr. Ragandang, rather than Dr. Metillo, replied, “Dear Ben Balce: Thank you for your message. I would like to clarify that there is no byline involving Dr. Metillo’s name in the article in question. Given this, we kindly ask for further clarification regarding the specific allegations being made. We take this issue seriously.”
This situation raised additional questions for Amerkhan, who wondered why Dr. Ragandang replied instead of Dr. Metillo.
She maintained that her final draft of the article, which she submitted to Murillo, was indeed her original work and not Dr. Metillo’s.
Comments from the Academic Community
In light of these allegations, Rene Timothy C. Malferrari, MPSM, MBM, a professor at Bukidnon State University, commented, “Sometimes the press media copies or takes from the academe, but hearing the reverse of it is too embarrassing for the offending party. Journalistic integrity and academic honesty must be upheld, as both are hallmarks of ethical considerations.” His remarks emphasize the critical need for ethical standards in both journalism and academia.
As of now, Dr. Metillo has not publicly addressed the allegations further, while Amerkhan remains devastated, feeling that she was used in this situation.
Amerkhan has raised important questions about intellectual integrity and the ethical standards of research publication.
She expressed her willingness to confront Dr. Metillo, asserting that the outcomes could have significant implications for academic practices and the importance of proper attribution in scholarly work.
Amerkhan maintained that she was the rightful owner of the research and believed that the article allegedly published by Dr. Metillo was simply re-edited and rephrased by him to obscure the originality of her work.
She contends that Dr. Metillo reportedly added scientific wording and phrases to her draft and rephrased paragraphs to make it appear as if it were his piece.
Amerkhan also claims that Dr. Metillo reportedly changed other paragraphs to make them more accessible for lay readers, which might still be difficult for some to understand.
She questions the reason behind his rephrasing, suggesting that it was done to make it appear as though he was the actual author of the research article.
“As writers, we must always be reminded of the critical need for ethical standards in research dissemination, ensuring that contributions are fairly recognized and credited,” Amerkhan said.
