Singer Bert, wife face fraud charges

The Philippine's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said that it would be forced to request the extradition of businessman-singer Bert Nievera and his wife Carol Hernandez from the US if they continue to ignore NBI requests for them to return to the country and explain why they left millions of pesos in debt to investors.

The couple fled the country for the US during the last week of December, leaving bankrupt their firm, a local franchisee of international restaurant chain Country Waffles.

The company's investors, mostly friends of the couple in the local entertainment industry, were up in arms after the Nieveras left the country without informing them. "They left the country and flew to the US. I am not sure if they are in the US at the moment," NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said.

He said the couple face charges of syndicated fraud and violation of Securities and Exchange Commission rules.