What Happened To TNT Champ Noven Belleza After His Arrest? Here’s An Update

Tawag Ng Tanghalan champ Noven Belleza posts bail after three nights in police custody. Noven was recently arrested for an alleged rape. Now, reports say his case is now downgraded to sexual assault which is a bailable offense.

Noven was arrested on Sunday, July 16, right after the concert of It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda’s concert, “Pusuan Mo Si Vice Ganda” in Cebu. He was a guest performer and was staying at a condo nearby. It was there when the supposed 19-year-old victim was raped at around 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 15. When Noven was arrested, he was brought to the Mabolo Police Station, complained about chest pain and was rushed to the hospital moments after. The victim’s family filed a case against him but Noven denied rape allegations and as of 4 p.m. on July 17, the inquest proceedings took place.

Noven Belleza posts bail, case downgraded from rape to sexual assault

Noven spent three nights in police custody as confirmed by The Inquirer, Cebu Daily News and was allowed to finally go home. The report confirms that the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office downgraded his case from rape to sexual assault. Unlike rape, sexual assualt is a bailable offense.

The singing champ’s lawyer, Leilani Villarino said they will answer everything during the court trial but for now, Noven is able to post bail and now enjoys presumption of innocence.

According to Cebu City Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño, based on the evidence, the proper case to be filed against Noven is sexual assault. He was allowed bail at P 120,000. The report says that right after Noven was arrested on Sunday, Prosecutor Casiño went ahead with the mandatory inquest proceeding. The prosecutor found enough to indict Belleza for sexual assault.

The report makes new revelation that Noven Belleza and the 19-year-old vicitim new each other and were actually textmates.