Chris Brown’s Fil-Canadian promoter denies Iglesia ni Cristo’s charges

Ryan Macasero

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Chris Brown’s Fil-Canadian promoter denies Iglesia ni Cristo’s charges
John Michael Pio Roda, the Filipino-Canadian arrested for allegedly swindling an Iglesia Ni Cristo company, says there is already an agreement to repay the amount lost from Chris Brown's cancelled 2014 concert

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – John Michael Pio “Mike” Roda, a Filipino-Canadian concert promoter of American R&B singer Chris Brown denied swindling the Iglesia Ni Cristo company Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) over a December 31 concert . 

Roda, a Canadian citizen, said he never received the $1,006.250 that MDC claims it paid him.

His publicists said in a statement: “Documents will establish that Mr Pio Roda only received $45,000 from complainant MDC (Maligaya Development Corporation), while Chris Brown was directly paid $350,000.00. Mr Pio Roda likewise received a total amount of $228,750, but this was paid by J. Williams Management Group Inc. and not by complainant MDC, while Chris Brown again received directly $350,000.” (READ: Chris Brown: I’ve done nothing wrong

MDC’s complaint affidavit says, however, that J Williams Management Group is its marketing arm. 

The complainant said in its affidavit that 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 amounted to $1,006,250 (P45.8 million). 

Roda, along with Brown, is accused of fraudulent acts by MDC, which manages the INC’s 50,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Brown was supposed to perform there on December 31, 2014, but cancelled the show. He claimed he lost his passport. Brown was barred from leaving the country after his Mall of Asia show on July 21 for 3 days.

The statement also said that MDC was already informed that Chris Brown had lost his passport two days before the show. Roda’s company, Pinnacle Live Concepts, which was producing the show, had brought up the option to charter a jet as soon as the singer was able to get a replacement passport, but MDC “refused this compromise.”   

Roda also co-produced the controversial 7107 music festival with John Herrera in 2014

On July  25, BI spokeswoman Elaine Tan that Roda could be allowed bail if requested “and if circumstances allow.” But his represenatives claim he has not been allowed to post bail.

Roda’s passport had previously been confiscated. His representatives say this “negates the risk of him leaving the country.” They also ask that active INC member Cris Villalobos, who is the acting head of the legal division of the Bureau of Immigration, inhibit from the case.

Villalobos, they said, “continues to oppress Mr Pio Roda’s right to bail even as the criminal complaint against him and Chris Brown is pending before the Department of Justice.”

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.

Roda’s statement acknowledged responsibility for $578,750, but said that the amount is being paid for under a compromise agreement. According to the statement, there are “earnest efforts” being made to reimburse MDG for the amounts it paid for the December 2014 concert.”

The statement concluded, “In due time, he will execute and sign the appropriate legal document that will detail the true facts.” – Rappler.com 




Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Nobuhiko Matsunaka

author

Ryan Macasero

Ryan covers social welfare for Rappler. He started at Rappler as social media producer in 2013, and later took on various roles for the company: editor for the #BalikBayan section, correspondent in Cebu, and general assignments reporter in the Visayas region. He graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a degree in international studies and a minor in political science. Outside of work, Ryan performs spoken word poetry and loves attending local music gigs. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmacasero or drop him leads for stories at ryan.macasero@rappler.com