SINGER Noven Belleza is now a free man.
Judge James Stewart Himalaluan dismissed yesterday the rape case filed against him by a fellow entertainer last July.
Belleza denied reports that he gave the complainant P1.5 million to settle the case.
Before the case was ordered dismissed, Belleza pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted a fellow entertainer on the eve of the concert of comedian Vice Ganda last July 16.
After the arraignment, Himalaluan, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 7, ordered the case dismissed for lack of interest of the complainant to pursue the case.
Belleza was assisted by his lawyer, Frances Jan Villarino, and his road manager during his arraignment.
The complainant did not attend the proceedings. Her lawyer, Janice Lape, represented her during the proceedings.
In his order, Judge Himalaluan noted the affidavit of desistance filed by the complainant.
The judge also ordered Belleza's counsel to file a motion for the release of his cash bond amounting to P120,000.
The 19-year-old complainant from Cebu City had filed her affidavit of desistance, telling Judge Himalaluan that she was no longer interested to pursue the rape case against Belleza.
“After my sober and soul searching assessment and analysis of this case, I have realized that I have reached the point that I am no longer interested in pursuing the case due to inordinately adverse effects it brought to me and my family,” read the complainant's affidavit.
Belleza, 21, of Bacolod City, was charged with sexually assaulting the complainant on the eve of the concert of comedian Vice Ganda last July 16. (GMD)