Chris Brown cleared to leave PHL

(Updated 7:50 p.m.) After two days of being stuck in the Philippines, American R&B singer Chris Brown is finally free to leave the country after getting clearance from authorities.

Bureau of Immigration spokesman Elaine Tan confirmed to GMA News Online that Brown was finally able to secure an emigration clearance certificate after being placed under the government immigration lookout bulletin (ILB) in connection with a US$1 million estafa case.

"ECC issued by BI Makati Office around 4:30 p.m. today after verifying that Chris Brown has no other derogatory record apart from the ILB," said Tan. "Departure formalities will be implemented by immigration officers at the airport."

Tan added that Brown personally appeared before the BI office to get his ECC.

The International artist is in the country for a one-night concert in Pasay City last July 21.

Meanwhile, Immigration chief Siegfred Mison clarified thay Brown "is not detained."

His Philippine promoter John Michael Pio Roda, however, was detained "due to an immigration violation," added Mison.

Mison said Brown's pending estafa case was "not basis to deny departure."

"Since the complaint is still pending, wala naga-appear na derogatory record sa amin. Pero alam namin na meron pending complaint although wala sa court so it is not really a pending obligation," he said.

Mison said Brown needs to secure a flight clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines first before he could leave the country, possibly Friday night.

Meanwhile, Roda, a Canadian, was detained after being found to be working without a permit. He was also accused of absconding due to the botched US$1-million contract for the New Year's concert last December.

Mison said unlike Roda, Brown could not be held liable for absconding because the Iglesia ni Cristo, which organized the concert event, was only directly dealing with the promoter and not with the singer.

Mison said the Immigration's board of special inquiry would have to meet and give Roda a chance to explain his side before the bureau decides if Ronda has to be deported.

Mison added however that Roda first has to settle his pending estafa case before his possible deportation. —KBK, GMA News