Use of frontliners tribute song in political ad appalls DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday slammed the use of "Dakila Ka, Bayani Ka" — a song praising the heroism of frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic — in a political video without permission from the composer and performers.

"While we respect the political choice of the medical personnel featured in the video, we are appalled that the people behind the production of the said video did not even practice due diligence in securing permission first from the artists who graciously lent their time and talent for the song," DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua said in a statement.

"We are also taking offense that a mellow song about heroism was used to forward political messages of one party when it is clearly meant for all COVID-19 responders, regardless of political affiliations." 

DepEd did not identify the persons or group behind the political advertisement, but urged them to stop sharing it and to take down their post "before we even ask Facebook to remove it."

Pascua said the song was composed by Arnie Mendaros and arranged by Albert Tamayo and was a project by the department at the start of pandemic .

Pascua, who spearheaded the project, said the song is a tribute to COVID-19 frontliners who sacrificed their safety and bravely performed their duty amidst the public health crisis.

"The song itself emphasizes – ‘Anuman ang kulay nila, anuman ang paniniwala, nagkakaisa sa pagtulong sa kaligtasan ng iba’ – to recognize the setting aside of political colors and partisanship in their service to our people," he said.

Pascua added that the song's message "was sadly and unfortunately bastardized by this political rendition." Legal actions are being set, he said.  —Mel Matthew Doctor/KBK, GMA News