This may be an opportunity to make more Filipinos understand the value of intellectual properties at a time when copyrighted songs routinely get used in campaigns without artists’ consent
MANILA, Philippines – First it was rapper Omar Baliw, then it was Lola Amour.
These two artist entities have found their songs in use as jingles in political campaigns for the upcoming 2025 elections without their consent.
Baliw on March 24 filed a complaint against controversial senatorial candidate, the detained Apollo Quiboloy, alleging that the preacher’s camp had used his song “K&B” without his consent.
Philstar reports, quoting Baliw’s affidavit from his lawyers: “Without my consent or the procurement of any license, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, a senatorial aspirant, and Dr. Marlon Rosete, the convenor of the Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for Senator Movement, used the Song — albeit with modifications to the lyrics and melody to fit their political campaign slogans — during the kick-off campaign of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on 11 February 2025 in Pasig City. The Song was publicly reproduced and performed without my authorization during a campaign broadcast.”
The band Lola Amour, meanwhile, late Saturday, March 29, called out campaigns that have been using their hit song “Raining In Manila” as a jingle without their consent.
Btw guys, this happened before and I guess it’s happening again: All of the campaign jingles using our songs do not have our consent. Vote wisely 🤣 https://t.co/2kEorljA8g
— LOLA AMOUR 🏖️ (@lolaamourmusic) March 29, 2025
In a follow-up Facebook post, the band said, “Madami na naman daw gumagamit ng mga kanta namin para sa mga campaign jingles. Please note that all of those are used WITHOUT our consent. 🎶 What if I told you that it’s stolen? 🎶” (Many are using our songs again for their campaign jingles.)
“We will never endorse a candidate we don’t believe in or di namin alam ‘yung platform 🗳️,” it added in the comments. (We won’t endorse a candidate whose platform we don’t know.)
This is not the first time that the band has experienced alleged IP theft.
In October 2023, the same song was used in campaigns for the Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Interaksyon reported then that when the band brought up the issue, some were of the mind that the band was lucky that their song was being used in jingles since that proves they are popular.
To which, the band replied: “Some people have argued ‘buti ginamit at least alam niyo kilala nila songs niyo.’ (Good thing they used them because at least you know they know your songs.) This isn’t the issue and neither is money. Permission is important because as artists, we at least want to know the platforms of the candidates using our songs.”
Some told the band to go after remuneration at the time.
The sentiment about the band being lucky for campaigns using their song shows that there’s a portion of the population that does not understand the value of original creations.
A similar sentiment could be observed from last year when “Bangsamoro pop” singer Shaira took down the viral song “Selos” amid a copyright claim by Australian singer Lenka. Some said then that Lenka should have been thankful as the virality of “Selos” and the subsequent controversy made her famous — an idea that once again showed that there are individuals who do not hold intellectual properties in high regard.
Groups have specifically released statements that promote IP awareness during these campaign periods.
In February 2022, music copyright group FILSCAP reminded campaigns that copyrighted songs need artists’ permissions to either play in public, use as background music, or have their lyrics tweaked for a particular candidate.
An ABS-CBN report provided examples how the campaign teams of Leni Robredo and Isko Moreno went through the proper channels to secure the use of songs from Ryan Cayabyab and Rivermaya, respectively.
An opinion piece by Inquirer in October 2024 touched on how campaigns still routinely disregard IP protection laws:
“[Candidates] cannot feign ignorance or lack of understanding of its parameters and cite that as justification for not seeking the permission of the owners of materials…If that person agrees to the use of his or her IP for a certain sum of money, it’s only fair that the candidate pays it because if he or she gets elected, the financial returns from his or her election would be significant.”
In the same month, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) reiterated the call to respect IP rights. “Candidates’ respect for intellectual property (IP) rights is a litmus test of their integrity and trustworthiness as future public servants. I don’t think any voter would like to see any copyright owner and artist, especially their favorite artists, deprived of their right to have a say on the use of their work for a political campaign,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said in an email statement sent to the press.
And, in January 2025, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) institutionalized its statements promoting proper IP use by partnering with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and entering into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA was made to “establish a mechanism for violation reports and actions, as well as monitoring and enforcement through a joint technical working group.”
Lola Amour’s callout, which didn’t name any candidate, along with Baliw’s earlier complaint, may be key in making an example that violators of IP law could face legal fines or other penalties.
Philstar reported that artists could send complaints via the Comelec’s Election Information Department.
As IP theft continues during campaigns, artists, groups, and the Comelec may need to show that the law has teeth. This is also a good time for them to show more Filipinos the value of intellectual properties. – Rappler.com
Content shared from www.rappler.com.