Not guilty plea for celebrity doc

ug shot of Dr. Joel Mendez taken after his arrest. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Celebrity cosmetic surgeon Joel Mendez on Wednesday entered a plea of not guilty on two counts of rape during his arraignment before Mandaluyong Trial Court Branch 214.

Mendez is currently out on bail he posted in connection with charges for two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape for allegedly abusing his 17-year-old niece in 2016.

However, the doctor’s lawyers filed a motion seeking the inhibition of Judge Imelda Portes-Saulog from the case.

Judge Saulog scheduled the next hearing on the case on 19 September at 2 p.m.

Mendez was arrested 12 July at the basement parking lot of the BSA Twin Towers in Mandaluyong City.

According to the police, Mendez was the subject of surveillance and stakeout operations for several months before his arrest.

Last year, Mendez was also charged for allegedly failing to remit at least P1.8 million in Social Security System contributions of 40 of his employees.

In 2016, Mendez was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to a prison term of one to three years and a fine of P10,000. EWB