OPM to Stop Running of "Mamma Mia!" If Clearance Fee Unpaid

"Mamma Mia!" is a Broadway musical that will run in the Philippines for a month from January to February this year

The concert promoter of "Mamma Mia" paid the Bureau of Immigration an amount lower than what is required by the OPM as per a memorandum of agreement between the singers' union and the BI

Because the local promoter of the West End and Broadway musical, “Mamma Mia!”, failed to pay the equity clearance of P 900,000, the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) shall file an injunction or temporary restraining order against the show.

The musical will run for four weeks and will commence on January 24 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

According to Elmar Beltran Ingles, the executive director of the OPM, it is a must for all foreign artists performing in the country to pay an equity clearance as stipulated in a memorandum of agreement between the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the OPM.

“We’ve been talking with the promoter since November last year and were willing to give a 20-percent discount because the amount due is P1.8 million which is huge,” Beltran said.

The P5,000 fee per performer per show goes to the OPM for medical and emergency purposes of the members.

Bambi Verzo of Concertus said the BI gave them a special permit for the performers in the musical.

“We were being charged double [from the original amount of P900,000] because OPM said December to February is a peak season for local shows,” said Verzo. “We discussed the situation with the BI.”

Verzo also added that they paid BI P367,000 for the special permit which was lower than the usual requirement of OPM.

Beltran said the fee given by Verzo was insufficient and could not cover the clearance.

“We suspect something happened inside the BI without the knowledge of the top officials,” Beltran claimed. “Ogie Alcasid has been trying to contact the immigration commissioner (Ricardo David Jr.) but it seems his calls are being ignored. We may bring the matter to the attention of President Aquino.”

“We have the official permit, including the receipt of payment,” Verzo said. “That should settle the issue.”

OPM and Concertus are scheduled to meet on Monday.

photo: www.inquirer.net