MANILA, Philippines – John Michael Pio “Mike” Roda, a Filipino-Canadian concert promoter of American R&B singer Chris Brown was detained at around 11:30 pm on Thursday, July 23. He was arrested in a hotel in Pasay City by Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents and is currently being detained at the BI detention center in lower Bicutan, Taguig City.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison confirmed to Rappler that the concert promoter had been detained on a mission order because of immigration violations. Roda is a Canadian citizen. (READ: Chris Brown: I’ve done nothing wrong)

The BI is pursuing a deportation case against Roda. “Pio Roda will have to remain in BI custody until his deportation case is resolved,” said BI spokesperson Elaine Tan. Bail is available, if requested “and if circumstances allow.”

Roda has since been released.

In a letter to Rappler on July 3, 2023, Roda furnished Rappler a copy of the BI’s decision dismissing the case in February 2017. “The dismissal was due to lack of probable cause and recognition of my dual citizenship, a status I’ve held since birth. The case was found to be frivolous and malicious,” Roda said.

Roda, along with Brown, was accused of fraudulent acts by the Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) owned by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), which manages the 50,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Brown was supposed to perform there on December 31, 2014, but later cancelled the show, claiming he lost his passport. Brown was barred from leaving the country after his Mall of Asia show on July 21.

According to the Bureau of Immigration, Brown had been able to provide an immigration clearance later and has already left for his concert in Macau. (READ: Chris Brown parties in Macau as Philippines jails his promoter).

Roda was the owner of Pinnacle live concepts, and also co-produced the controversial 7107 music festival with John Herrera in 2014.

On May 25, BI special prosecutor Homer Arellano charged Pio Roda for working without a  permit, for defrauding his creditors by absconding, and for undesirability.

In his July 3, 2023 letter, Roda said that the “allegations were made by an entity that was not party to the performance contract involving Mr. Brown.”

Complaint

The complaint affidavit alleged that Roda and Brown were paid for the concert through their marketing arm, J Williams Management Group, for the December 2014 concert. Roda’s company was allegedly paid $87,000 (P3.1 million), while Brown was paid $350,000 (P15.93 million) in September 2014.

More payments were made in December 2014 with Roda being paid an additional $45,000 (P2.048 million) and Brown another $350,000. According to the MDC, the total cost of bringing Brown to the country cost $1,006,250 (P45.8 million). – Rappler.com