- ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ grand winner Noven Belleza must have learned one of life’s greatest lessons by now after he had spent three nights under police custody.
- The Cebu City prosecutor’s office has lowered the case filed against him, from rape to sexual assault.
- The prosecutor found sufficient basis to indict Belleza on charges of sexual assault.
- Belleza was recommended with Php120,000 bail.
‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ grand champ Noven Belleza was finally allowed to go home after the Cebu City prosecutor’s office downgraded the case which was filed against him. The prosecutor found sufficient basis to charge Belleza of sexual assault. And since sexual assault is a bailable offense, Belleza was released on bail.
Belleza’s lawyer, Leilani Villarino said they opted to waive their right to a preliminary investigation which could have given them the chance to disprove the statements hurled against her client at the prosecutor’s office.
“We will answer everything during court trial. What is important now is he (Belleza) will be able to post bail,” said Villarino in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
After guesting as performer in Vice Ganda’s concert in Cebu City, Belleza was arrested by operatives for allegedly molesting a 19-year-old local performer. The victim said she was sexually molested by Belleza in his condominium. According to reports, the woman claimed that Belleza inserted his finger into her vagina.
According to Villarino, a complaint of rape can only be filed by a woman when a man forcibly penetrates her with his penis. A sexual assault can be given to a person who inserts his or her fingers or any other object into the genitals of another person. The prosecutor found sufficient basis to charge Belleza of sexual assault instead of rape as earlier reported.
Based on the police investigation, Belleza and the victim knew each other and were said to be text mates.
