According to a report at Inquirer Tuesday night, July 18, Belleza was allowed to post bail after the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office noted that the victim was not raped. In her formal complaint, the victim said that the suspect forced his finger insider her vagina, and not with his manhood. For this reason, the case against the singer was lowered to sexual assault.
"We will answer everything during court trial. What is important now is he (Belleza) will be able to post bail. For now, he enjoys the presumption of innocence." Belleza’s lawyer Leilani Villarino told the paper, noting that they opted to waive their right to a preliminary investigation, and therefore did not answer to the allegations against the 22-year old singer.
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As reported earlier, the alleged rape incident happened last Saturday, July 15, at around 2 am inside a a condominium in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. where Noven Belleza stayed before he performed as a special guest in Vice Ganda’s "Pusuan Mo si Vice Ganda" concert, held at the IEC Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo, also in Cebu City.
After his performance, the victim's family arrested him outside, and brought him to the police. A few hours later, Belleza was rushed to a hospital in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City after he complained of chest pains. The suspect was unable to attend the inquest proceedings on Monday, but Prosecutor Casiño went to the hospital on Tuesday morning.
Belleza, a son of a farmer from Negros Occidental, won Tawag ng Tanghalan last March 11, and received P2 million cash, a recording contract, a brand-new house and lot, among other prizes. The following month, his life story was featured at ABS-CBN's 'Maalala Mo Kaya.' As of posting, the Kapamilya Network has not yet commented on this issue.
Contributed by Karenina Saulo
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