Chris Brown leaves PH, estafa case remains

American RnB singer Chris Brown (Photo from Brown’s official Facebook page)

MANILA – American singer Chris Brown may have already left the Philippines but his estafa case remained under investigation, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

“Of course, the preliminary investigation will proceed since there is a complaint.

It will have to go through the process,” De Lima told reporters.

Brown, together with his promoter Michael Pio Rada, has been sued by the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Maligaya Development Corp.

(MBC) after he failed to show up at a New Year’s Eve concert which was supposed to be held at the Philippine Arena.

Being a no-show, Brown has been accused of estafa by deceit as he was already paid about P40 million. The singer, for his part, refused to participate in the proceedings and answer allegations hurled against him.

But should the case be filed in the court, Brown’s participation would then be needed.

“This is a process. If in the preliminary investigation, probable cause is established, then the case will be filed in court, which cannot proceed without the presence of the accused. There are modes on how to bring the accused here like the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty or extradition,” De Lima explained, clarifying that it was up to the complainant and its lawyer on how they want the case to proceed.

“In estafa cases, the main objective is how to recover the money so there is also the civil aspect that may involve the recovery of money via a civil suit,” she added.