EDUCATION Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua condemned on Thursday the use of the song Dakila Ka, Bayani Ka in a political video without the permission of the composer and performers.

The video was posted at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=654132682307732&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing

Composed by Arnie Mendaros and arranged by Albert Tamayo, the song was a project spearheaded by Pascua and was a tribute song to frontliners who sacrificed their safety and bravely performed their duty amid the pandemic.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones herself voluntarily participated in the recording of the song together with Martin Nievera, Michael V, Carol Banawa, TJ Monterde, Sassa Dagdag, and other artists.

“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,” 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 Covid19 responders, regardless of political affiliations,” he added.

Pascua said they will seek legal action against those who used the song.

“For the meantime, we urge the people behind the video to stop sharing and to take down their post before we even ask Facebook to remove it,” the DepEd official added.