Plagiarism should never be taken lightly.

Ely Buendia has expressed his thoughts regarding the recent plagiarism allegations against The Pop Stage champion CJ Villavicencio for his winning entry of an Eraserheads medley for the online competition. The allegations point out the stark similarities between Villavicencio's medley to Ang Huling El Bimbo the Musical.

"I am appealing to the people, companies and corporations involved in the AHEB plagiarism issue," Buendia writes in a Facebook post. "You alone have the power to make this right. You have the power to teach a young man and all the young people out there about to join the world, our children, a most valuable lesson that can have no other effect except make them good and become better."

On Sunday (08/02), AHEB musical director Myke Salomon expressed "I feel bad for the other contestants." He wrote on Twitter, "And para sa mga productions and judges. You are judging concept and originality.. You tolerate ripping off."

Every album by the Eraserheads, ranked

Villavicencio, who won a one million peso cash prize and an artist contract with Viva Artists Agency from The Pop Stage, apologized for the mishap, claiming that "there was no intention whatsoever on my part to plagiarize." In the statement, he writes, "My final performance during the finals of 'The Pop Stage' is an Eraserheads medley and was meant to be a tribute to my favorite artists and musical while also incorporating my own story and experiences."

The Pop Stage has yet to release an official statement regarding Villavicencio's case.

Read Buendia's full statement below.

I am appealing to the people, companies and corporations involved in the AHEB plagiarism issue. You alone have the power to make this right. You have the power to teach a young man and all the young people out there about to join the world, our children, a most valuable lesson that can have no other effect except make them good and become better. You have the power to stand up for and give back to the art which has been a source of life for all of us. You have the power to set an example and for once do the right thing, and become a beacon of hope in these dark times ruled by greed, hate and lies. Yes there are even more pressing matters out there, but in the end this will not just be about a song, a contract, a million pesos, or credit. Your actions will set a precedent and have repercussions in the years to come. On which side of history do you want to be on? Search your hearts for the truth and it will set you free.

Watch the cast of Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical: