MANILA, Philippines?Film director Gil Portes is facing a criminal complaint for allegedly defrauding actor Redmond Christopher "Cogie" Domingo of P150,000 as payment for a movie role in 2006.

Portes entered a plea of "not guilty" during the arraignment of the estafa (fraud) case on July 17 before Judge J. Cedrick Ruiz of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 61.

Based on the complaint filed in January, the director allegedly misappropriated the amount supposed to be remitted to Domingo as payment for his role in the black comedy "Mourning Girls."

In his complaint Domingo said Portes, as director in charge of creative, had received P150,000 in trust from a certain Zenaida Fernandez as payment for the actor's professional services in the project.

But "far from complying with his obligation," Portes took the money for his personal use despite demands made by Domingo, the complainant alleged.

Judge Ruiz set the pre-trial conference to August 25.

He also issued a subpoena requiring Domingo, who was absent at the arraignment, to appear at the pre-trial to determine the possibility of a plea bargain.

During preliminary investigation, Assistant City Prosecutor Gaudencio Tolledo Jr. found probable cause that Portes committed the crime and recommended a bail of P40,000 for his conditional liberty.

Mourning Girls, starring Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Assunta De Rossi and Glydel Mercado, was Portes' entry to the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival. It had the poorest showing at the box office, making only P1.4 million.

Portes also made the 2002 independent movie "Mga Munting Tinig (Small Voices)," which won best picture awards at the Star Awards, Famas and Urian.

Domingo starred in the 2000 film "Deathrow," and the first two "Mano Po" movies in 2002 and 2003.