MANILA, Philippines – Nacionalista Party vice presidential bet Sen. Loren Legarda announced Thursday that Yeng Constantino’s “Hawak Kamay,” Pinoy Dream Academy's hit inspirational song, is her new official political jingle.

Reports said Legarda's camp bought the rights from Star Records, Constantino's record label, for P1 million. The lawmaker, however, refused to confirm these reports.

Unlike in the case of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro, Legarda was confident that she would not be accused of unauthorized use of the song, saying she properly acknowledged Constantino.

Rico Blanco, the composer of Teodoro's political jingle, "Posible," has blasted the presidential candidate for using his composition without seeking first his permission.

But songwriter-arranger Dennis Garcia refuted Blanco's claim that the use of "Posible" was unauthorized. Garcia was the one commissioned by Teodoro's staff to score the music for his controversial ad.

For Legarda's political ad, the slow tempo of "Hawak Kamay" was changed into a pop dance. Also, the voice of the singer in the ad closely resembles that of Constantino’s.

Legarda's use of "Hawak Kamay," however, does not automatically mean that the young singer is endorsing the senator. In her previous interview, Constantino maintained that she is not endorsing any candidate. -Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News