DOJ issues subpoena vs. Chris Brown, promoter

The Department of Justice has issued a subpoena against American R&B singer Chris Brown and his Canadian promoter John Michael Pio Roda over a US$1-million estafa complaint filed by the administrator of the Philippine Arena.

"In connection with the above-mentioned complaint, by virtue of the authority vested by law, you are hereby directed to obtain, personally or through your representative, copies of the complaint, supporting affidavits and other evidence submitted by the complainant on 31 July 2015, 2 p.m.," read the subpoenaissued by Assistant State Prosecutor Christine Marie Buencamino.

"You or your representative are/is likewise entitled to examine all other evidence submitted by complainants on the date and time herein specified," it added.

The DOJ prosecutor "warned" Brown and Pio Roda that their failure to comply with the subpoena "shall be considered as a waiver of your right to be furnished copies of the complaints, supporting affidavits and other documents, as well as to examine all other evidence submitted by the complaint."

After holding a concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Brown and his promoter were temporarily prevented from leaving the country last week due to a lookout bulletin ordered issued against them.

The LBO stemmed from a letter from Glicerio Santos IV, chief legal counsel of Iglesia Ni Cristo and chief operating officer of the Maligaya Development Corp. (MDC) requesting assistance from the Department of Justice "for the successful prosecution of the criminal complaint which MDC is lodging."
 
The MDC accused Brown, who is Christopher Maurice Brown in real life, and Pio Roda of committing estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code over his failure to appear in the Iglesia ni Cristo's New Year's event concert on December 31 last year at the Philippine Arena.

But after securing an emigration clearance certificate, Brown was allowed to leave the country. He then proceeded to Macau to continue the leg of his tour.

Pio Roda, meanwhile, was left behind and 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.

The Bureau of Immigration 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.

The BI's board of special inquiry is set to meet and give Pio Roda a chance to explain his side before the bureau decides if he has to be deported. He first has to settle his pending estafa case before his possible deportation. —KBK, GMA News