Composers seek NBI probe on FILSCAP funds

A group of composers on Tuesday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged irregular disbursement of funds by the officials of Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Incorporated (FILSCAP). The group, led by folk singer Heber Bartolome, alleged that some P8.5 million in FILSCAP funds were found to have been irregularly disbursed following an audit. The payout allegedly did not have the authority of the FILSCAP board of trustees. FILSCAP is an organization engaged in the collection of royalties for the public performance rights of its members.

Bartolome of "Tayo'y Mga Pinoy" fame said FILSCAP annually collects P100 million from royalties for compositions and works of its 300 members that have been publicly used. It is also responsible for the collection of royalties belonging to members of foreign affiliates. In his three-page letter, Bartolome claimed that FILSCAP officials have refused to look into the disbursements because they claimed it would be “inimical and prejudicial to the image of FILSCAP." “Surprisingly, since then to date, nothing of substance had been done," he said. He also said that “hundreds of composers are now prejudiced, damaged and injured" by the allegedly fraudulent disbursements made by officers of the FILSCAP. NBI agent Arnel Dalumpines of the bureau’s special task force said the probe aims to establish if FILSCAP officials could be held liable for qualified theft or estafa. - KBK, GMANews.TV