SINGER Noven Belleza wants to leave the country for his two-day concert in the United States on August 12 to 13.
Belleza's lawyer, Leilani Trinidad Villarino, filed a motion asking Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge James Stewart Himalaluan to allow him to travel on August 10.
"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 bail for his temporary freedom before the Regional Trial Court on July 19.
Belleza's counsel has 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 into the allegations that Belleza sexually harassed a fellow entertainer on the eve of the concert of comedian Vice Ganda on July 16.
Belleza, 21, of Bacolod City, is the grand champion of ABS-CBN's "Tawag ng Tanghalan" singing competition.
He allegedly tried to rape fellow singer prior to the concert at IEC Pavillion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
The victim, a 19-year-old woman from Cebu City, said that Belleza asked her to accompany him to his condominium on Molave St., Cebu City on July 15.
In the pleading, Belleza said he and his road manager, Ceazar Ian Guanizo, signed an agreement with one Fernando Gomez, of New Year, USA, for a two-day show in New Jersey on Augusr 12 to 13, 2017.
Belleza needs to comply with the contract for the show, or he and his manager may be held liable for breach of contract.
"The accused who was a farmer in Negros Oriental before he won the singing contest, has no other source of income to support his family other than his budding career," the pleading read. (GMD/VoxPop Cebu)