Singer asks to be allowed to leave country for concert

Singer Noven Belleza wants to leave the country for a two-day concert in the US slated on Aug. 12 to 13, 2017.

His lawyer, Leilani Trinidad Villarino, filed a motion asking Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge James Stewart Himalaluan to allow him to travel abroad on Aug. 10.

“The accused is not a flight risk and his request for travel abroad for four days is necessary to comply with his singing engagement,” the pleading read.

Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño charged Belleza with rape under Art. 266-A, paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 8353 (sexual assault).

“The accused, with deliberate intent, did commit an act of sexual assault (upon the victim)... without her consent and against the latter’s will,” the charge sheet read.

Belleza stepped out of the detention cell after posting P120,000 for his temporary freedom before the Regional Trial Court last July 19.

Belleza’s counsel has asked Judge Himalaluan to suspend the proceedings and remand the case to the prosecutor’s office.

The defense wants the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor to conduct a preliminary investigation on the allegations that Belleza sexually harassed a fellow entertainer on the eve of the concert of comedian Vice Ganda last July 16.

Belleza, 21, of Bacolod City, is the grand champion of ABSCBN’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” singing competition.

He allegedly tried to rape his fellow singer prior to the concert at IEC Pavillion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The complainant, a 19-year-old from Cebu City, said that Belleza asked her to accompany him to his condominium on Molave St., Cebu City on July 15.

She asked for permission to use the toilet. When she got out, Belleza allegedly held her arms and pulled her towards him.

The complainant said she tried to resist, but Belleza overpowered her.

“I pleaded, resisted, and shouted but he continued kissing me in different parts of my body…. I suffered bruises,” the complainant said in her affidavit.

Although she was in shock, the victim said she managed to go home and tried to keep the incident to herself.