Concert promoter facing estafa

Several people involved in the music entertainment business aired concerns that the charges of estafa filed against a certain Alfredo “Doc” delos Santos could negatively impact the industry. According to sources, Delos Santos recently inked a contract with a major television network to have talents trained under the “Korean Pop” or K-Pop system, but reports that a warrant of arrest had been issued against Delos Santos obviously have them bothered.

Documents obtained by Spy Bits showed that an arrest warrant had indeed been issued by a Manila Regional Trial Court over charges of estafa docketed as Criminal Case No. 15-312757. A resolution from the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of “estafa through misappropriation” against Delos Santos, known as a concert promoter/organizer who sources said started out as a supplier of sound equipment.

According to the documents, the complainant (whose identity is being withheld) was approached by Delos Santos sometime in June 2013 about a possible investment in a concert project billed as K-Pop City (also known as K-Pop Republic) where a group of Korean pop artists would perform at the Araneta Coliseum. Delos Santos reportedly would take care of all the concert requirements, and all the complainant had to do was invest P15 million, after which the profits would be divided. Not surprisingly, the complainant initially hesitated because of the huge amount involved, but was persuaded by Delos Santos to invest anyway.

Under the agreement, the investment was supposed to be returned if the concert was profitable, after which the profits would be divided 50-50; any losses would also be shouldered equally by the contracting parties.  The concert pushed through on Sept. 7, 2013, and judging from the media accounts, it was a huge success and in fact, several more followed in its wake – which should indicate that mounting concerts with Korean pop stars seems to be a lucrative business.

In any case, the complainant asked for the Profit and Loss Statement as specified in their business agreement, but did not get any despite repeated requests. A demand letter was subsequently sent, to which Delos Santos finally replied through counsel that the concert resulted in “financial loss.” A counter affidavit reportedly submitted by Delos Santos claimed that out of the P15 million invested by complainant, it appeared that only P10 million remained – but this was reportedly used by respondent as non-refundable deposit for the talent fee of another K-Pop group called Super Junior-M which had a Manila concert in October 2013. Complainant maintained that no such agreement was made for the remaining P10 million to be used for another concert; neither was there sufficient proof that the September 2013 concert incurred losses amounting to P5 million for the investor.

Sources in the know informed Spy Bits that Delos Santos’ All Access Productions tied up with a Korean partner, but the latter was not aware that the concert promoter is facing charges of estafa. The TV network, whose artist signed a contract with Delos Santos, is also unaware that the latter is developing a reputation as a “1-2-3 artist,” the sources said, adding that another person is also set to file an estafa complaint against the promoter.

P-Noy should be advised: Less talk, less mistake

Our Malacañang insider informed us that close associates and media handlers of President Aquino had advised him not to say anything first regarding the Mamasapano encounter. After all, the Board of Inquiry headed by General Benjamin Magalong has yet to release its findings regarding the tragic Jan. 25 Operation Exodus that resulted in the death of 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers.

But his media handlers were aghast when the President issued a mouthful during the “prayer meeting” he hosted with sympathetic Christian groups, heaping the blame entirely on sacked SAF director Getulio Napeñas and labeling his critics and anti-Bangsamoro Basic Law groups as attention seekers or KSPs (kulang sa pansin). 

Because of his speech last Monday, the President has invited even more flak than ever before with people saying they were appalled to hear him “trivialize” Operation Exodus by likening it to a “Mission Impossible” production. Many also said they found it totally inappropriate for the President to methodically destroy the reputation and dignity of Napeñas, claiming that the latter duped him with an impressive Powerpoint presentation that turned out to be nothing but “drawing.” 

Instead of calming the waters, the President seems to have created tidal waves, leaving more questions than answers with his latest comments. Just the same, maybe the Palace mouthpieces should also be advised not to talk too much because they are also making the people angrier with their attempt at semantics, like saying that the President was neither passing the blame nor pre-empting the BOI findings, but was merely “elaborating” and “casting light on the events.”

As they say – less talk, less mistake.

CJ Sereno at MOPC induction and forum

Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno will be the guest speaker tonight at a Judiciary Forum organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club. Chief Justice Sereno will also administer the oath of office of the 2015 officers and Board of Governors of the MOPC. Chief Justice Sereno made history by being the first female to be appointed as chief justice, and her call for sobriety is doing a lot to calm troubled waters, so to speak. She has also made it a top priority to restore the trust and confidence of the public in the Judiciary. It would be interesting to hear her thoughts on judicial reforms and other issues that impact the country today during the no-holds-barred open forum with a select panel of journalists following her keynote speech.

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