DepEd condemns inappropriate use of song in a video supporting Robredo
The Department of Education (DepEd) condemned the use of “Dakila Ka, Bayani Ka” in a political video without “prior permission from the song’s 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,” said DepEd in a statement issued by the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) headed by USec. Alain Pascua on Thursday, March 31.
The video posted at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=654132682307732&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing
Based on the credits, the “Dakila Ka, Bayani Ka” was performed by Nueva Ecija Doctors for Leni for Free in support of the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo in May 2022 elections. It was produced by Robredo People's Council Hope and Beyond Nueva Ecija.
Pascua said that the “Dakila Ka, Bayani Ka” posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4MiRXrVzh0 was composed by Arnie Mendaros and arranged by Albert Tamayo.
This, he said, is a tribute song to Covid-19 frontliners “who sacrificed their safety and bravely performed their duty amidst the public health crisis.”
The said project was spearheaded By Pascua at the start of the pandemic to rally behind and give support to all frontliners.
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones also voluntarily participated in the recording of the song together with Martin Nievera, Michael V, Carol Banawa, TJ Monterde, Sassa Dagdag, and other artists.
Aside from using the song without approval, Pascua said that DepEd is 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.”
Pascua said that 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.
“That message and recognition was sadly and unfortunately bastardized by this political rendition,” he said.
Pascua said that DepEd is set to seek legal actions on this “negligence from the erring production team as we remind the public to keep non-political materials away from the messy side of the election campaign season.”
The DepEd OUA also urged the people behind the video to “stop sharing and to take down their post before we even ask Facebook to remove it.”