Noven Belleza
CEBU CITY — After spending three nights under police custody, Noven Belleza, the first grand champion of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” can now go home.
The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has downgraded the complaint filed by a 19-year-old woman against the singing sensation from rape to sexual assault, a bailable offense.
Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño ruled that the proper case to be filed in court against Belleza should be sexual assault. Bail was recommended at P120,000.
Belleza’s lawyer, Leilani Villarino, said they chose to waive their right to a preliminary investigation, which could have given Belleza the chance to refute the allegations at the prosecutor’s office.
“We will answer everything during trial. What is important now is he (Belleza) will be able to post bail,” Villarino told the Inquirer. “For now, he enjoys the presumption of innocence,” she added.
Belleza, a rice farmer from Negros Occidental province, was named in March as grand champion of “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” a talent search aired on ABS-CBN’s noontime program, “It’s Showtime.”
Last Saturday, Belleza performed as guest in a comedy concert of the noontime show’s host Vice Ganda at IEC Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo here.
After the concert, around 11 p.m., the 22-year-old singer was arrested by operatives of the Mabolo police station for allegedly molesting a performer who also competed in the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing contest.
Police Officer 1 Ma. Theresa Talisic of the Cebu City police’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk said the victim claimed that she was molested by Belleza on Saturday at a condominium unit in Barangay Lahug where the singer was staying.
On Sunday, Belleza complained of chest pains, prompting the police to place him under hospital arrest in Barangay Banilad here.
Casiño went to the hospital on Tuesday morning to conduct an inquest proceeding. The prosecutor found sufficient basis to indict Belleza for sexual assault.
Police said Belleza and the victim knew each other and were regularly exchanging text messages.