Singer suspect in rape allowed to travel to US

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has allowed “Tawag ng Tanghalan” grand winner Noven Belleza to travel abroad for four days for a scheduled singing engagement in New Jersey, USA.

Judge James Stewart Himalaloan granted on Wednesday a very urgent motion with leave of court to travel abroad filed by Belleza despite the opposition of a 19-year-old girl who claimed she was sexually assaulted by Belleza last July 15.

“The accused having substantially proven that his travel abroad for a singing engagement is authentic and duly documented, the court allows him to travel to New Jersey, USA from August 10, 2017 to August 14, 2017 strictly in accordance with the itinerary submitted to court,” read the order.

Belleza, 21, a native of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental earlier asked the court to be allowed to travel abroad for four days.

He claimed that if he will not be allowed he would be liable to refund Fernando Gomez of New York, USA, the full amount of their engagement aside from possible damages to be filed against him for not fulfilling their agreement.

On April 17, 2017, Belleza and his road manager, Ceazar Ian Guanizo, signed an agreement with Gomez for two shows on August 12 and 13, 2017 to be held at Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, New Jersey, USA.

In her opposition, the 19-year-old asked for the denial of the motion, alleging Belleza failed to present sufficient proof how his presence may be considered indispensable to the said event and that he has not shown any permit with regard to the same event.

However, Himalaloan granted Belleza’s motion and ordered him to post a P150,000 travel bond before the court.

“The accused has still in his favor the presumption of innocence at this point in time and going with the principle of balancing the interests in which his right to livelihood shall also be considered,” the order read.

In her complaint-affidavit, the 19-year-old alleged she was sexually assaulted by Belleza on July 15 at 2 a.m. in his condominium in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, where he was temporarily housed for the concert of Vice Ganda.

The complainant and the accused became friends after they met in a noontime show where both of them were contestants in September 2016. (FREEMAN)