Chris Brown promoter says he's trying to return money, accuses INC-linked firm of 'oppression'

Chris Brown's promoter Michael Pio Roda on Thursday claimed they have already been "earnestly" trying to return the money paid to them for the R&B singer's supposed New Year's Eve performance at the Philippine Arena.

 

In a statement, Pio Roda's camp said between January and July 2015, "earnest efforts" were made to reimburse the Maligaya Development Corp, an Iglesia ni Cristo-affiliated company, for the amounts it paid for the December 2014 concert.

 

In a compromise agreement dated July 16, Pio Roda, through his promotions company Pinnacle Live Concepts, agreed to initially return US$10,000 to J. Williams Management Group upon execution of the deal and US$350,000 on or before August 4.

 

Pio Roda said the payment would be sourced from proceeds of the "Chris Brown Replacement Show" last July 21.

 

"Thus, Mr. Pio Roda’s Gestapo-like arrest and detention beginning 23rd July 2015 and the filing of a US$1 Million criminal complaint is a shocking development, if not a reflection of bad faith in breach of the terms of the Compromise Agreement," said the promoter's camp.

 

Pio Roda has been detained at the Bureau of Immigration for the last two weeks, after he and Brown were placed under a lookout bulletin for the failed negotiations with MDC. They were slapped with a US$1-million complaint for swindling through estafa.

 

Brown was eventually allowed to leave while Roda remained under BI custody, after he was charged separately for absconding and working without a permit.

 

While in detention, Pio Roda accused MDC of "continuously oppressing" him considering that his passport had already been  confiscated, negating the risk of him leaving the country.

 

Pio Roda also pointed out the "active involvement" of lawyer Cris Villalobos, an INC member who happens to be the acting head of the legal division of the Bureau of Immigration.

 

Pio Roda said he would be filing a request for Villalobos to inhibit from handling and being involved in the immigration proceedings.

 

"Mr. Pio Roda will strongly and forcefully defend his innocence from the outrageous charges made by this Iglesia ni Cristo company," said his camp.

 

"In due time, he will execute and sign the appropriate legal document that will detail the true facts, bely the lies made public by the representatives of this Iglesia ni Cristo company, and expose the contractual bad faith and possible corruption activities of certain members of this religious sect," it added.

 

Pio Roda claimed they had informed MDC, as early as December 30, 2014 (Manila time) or two days before the concert, that the singer had lost his passport.

 

Roda also denied receiving US$1,006,250 from INC or any INC-affiliated or controlled company. He said he only received  $45,000 from MDC, while Brown was directly paid $350,000.00.  He also said he received a total amount of $228,750, but this was paid by J. Williams Management Group, Inc. and not by MDC, while Brown again received directly $350,000.00.

 

"The said amount ($578,750) is in fact subject of the compromise agreement between J. Williams and Pinnacle, and is currently being paid by Mr. Pio Roda," said Pio Roda's camp.

 

"To hold Mr. Pio Roda accountable for the entire $1 Million by MDC or the INC is not only without legal or factual basis but is a travesty of justice and a continued violation of human rights," it added.   — ELR, GMA News