Chris Brown promoter told to answer raps in 15 days

The Department of Justice on Friday gave Chris Brown's promoter John Michael Pio Roda 15 days to respond to a US$1-million swindling complaint filed over the American R&B singer's failure to perform in a New Year's Eve event at the Philippine Arena.

During the first preliminary investigation on the complaint, Roda, a Filipino-Canadian, was furnished a copy of the complaint filed last week by Glicerio Santos, chief operating officer of the Maligaya Development Corp. (MDC), which manages the arena.

Santos is also chief legal counsel of Iglesia Ni Cristo, which owns the indoor multi-purpose arena.

No one from Brown's camp was present to receive a copy of the complaint.

Roda, who was taken to the DOJ from the Bureau of Immigration where he is detained, was given until August 17 to submit a counter-affidavit, the same day of the second hearing on the complaint.

"It's only just today that we were able to receive a copy of the complaint. We fully intend to address all allegations during the next hearing when we file our counter-affidavit," said Roda's lawyer, Sarah Abraham.

Roda, through his Pinnacle Live Concepts Limited, earlier agreed to bring Brown to the Philippines and have him perform on December 31, 2014 for  P1,006,250.00.

MDC's marketing arm, J. Williams Management Group Inc (JWMGI), made an initial payment of US$87,500 to Roda and US$350,000 on October 13, 2014.

Another payment was made on December 1, 2014 worth US$45,000 and to Brown worth US$350,000.

Roda remains under the custody of the BI, which earlier implemented a lookout bulletin order against him and Brown.

"Mr. Pio Roda is still under detention pursuant to the mission order issued by the BI. But we have yet to be informed of the formal charge against him," said Abraham.

Meanwhile, both the camp of Roda and the MDC were mum when asked if they were considering on just settling the case, so long as the money paid by the firm to Brown and Roda would be returned.

"We cannot comment on that as early as now," Abraham told reporters. —KBK, GMA News