Comelec to candidates: Respect intellectual rights of Filipinos artists

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded all candidates for the upcoming midterm elections to respect the intellectual property rights of Filipino artists using their songs for campaign jingles.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia issued the statement after local band Lola Amour complained that their single Raining in Manila was used by a candidate without their permission.

"[This] happened before, and I guess it's happening again: None of the campaign jingles using our song have our consent. Vote visely," the OPM band wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Garcia assured that if a complaint is filed with Comelec, immediate action will be taken.

"Wag nanakawin ang akda o wag nanakawin ang tugtog ng iba o ang mismong lyrics/ Wag natin gawin yan sapagkat kaawa-awa naman ang mga artistang Pilipino na nagpapakahirap, intellectual property nila yan (Don't steal the work of the artists or don't steal the music or the actual lyrics. Let's not do that because it's unfortunate for Filipino artists who are struggling. That's their intellectual property)," Garcia told reporters on Monday.

The poll body chief urged artists whose work is used without consent to file formal complaints, so the Comelec can coordinate with them and issue a proper notice to the candidate involved.

"They have to apologize dun sa mismong author o sa mismong composer, and at the same time, wag sa amin magpaliwanag, doon sa Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) kasi meron tayong intellectual property na nilabag (They have to apologize to the author or the composer, at the same time, they should explain to the IPOPHL, not us, because they violated an intellectual property)," Garcia added.

"Hindi lang naman po yan paglabag sa election law, paglabag po yan sa iba pang batas," he said. (That is not just a violation of the election law—it also violates other laws).

In January, the Comelec signed an agreement with the IPOPHL. During the signing event, Garcia emphasized that violating IP rights would now be treated as an election offense, as they fall under illegal poll propaganda.

According to IPOPHL, there were five recorded cases of illegal use of music for campaign jingles during the 2022 national and local elections.