Sen Tito Sotto Plans to Propose Ban of Recording Cover Songs

Senator Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III is planning to author a bill that once it becomes a law, it will ban professional singers from recording cover songs. A singer and song writer himself, the senator suggested that it is high time to motivate song composers to create original songs, rather than making a new version of old songs, both foreign and local.



"Ang problema kasi, talamak na talaga ang pag cover ng mga lumang kanta. Kahit anong galing nung singer, nababalewala na ang pagiging artist nya dahil inuulit niya lang ang art ng iba. Isa pa, nawawala na yung tinatawag nating OPM (Original Pilipino Music). Bilang isang manunulat ng awit, nalulungkot ako." Sen. Tito Sotto told reporters last Wednesday.

"Hindi porket uso sa ibang bansa, gagayahin natin. Naniniwala ako na maraming pang mailalabas ang ating mga beteranong composers, at marami ding bagong sibol dyan na hindi lang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Kung nagawa nating makipagsabayan dati sa mga dayuhan, kaya din natin gawin yun ngayon." The former VST & Company member added.

Sotto, whose one notable composition 'Magkaisa' became one of the anthems of the 1986 People Power Revolution, emphasized that there is nothing wrong with covering old songs. He noted that his proposal to ban covered songs is only temporary, until such time that new and original songs are back in the music scene, just like in the 70s to the 90s.

"Tanggap ko naman ang music ngayon ay iba na. Kaya lang, kawawa naman ang mga kabataan ngayon at ang susunod na generation. Imagine, nakikinig sila sa mga kantang hindi nila naiitindihan ang lyrics, tapos sasabihin nila maganda pakinggan. Ano yun, di ba?" Sen. Sotto said, who is most likely referring to the growing popularity of K-Pop songs.



As of posting, no local professional singer has commented on Sotto's plan. It should be noted however that his niece, Megastar Sharon Cuneta has covered several songs of legendary singer-composer, Rey Valera in the 90s, and made movies out of them. Meanwhile, the “Eat Bulaga” host said he will release the details of his proposal sometime soon.

Contributed by Karenina Saulo