By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former broadcaster Jay Sonza was taken into custody by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday night, April 30, following a warrant linked to alleged online posts about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health.
Agents from the NBI’s cybercrime and intelligence units served the arrest order at Sonza’s home in Project 8, Quezon City at about 9 p.m. The warrant, issued earlier that day by a Pasay City Regional Trial Court branch, classified the case as “not bailable,” triggering a legal challenge from his camp.
Sonza, who is 70 years old, is currently detained at NBI headquarters and is scheduled to be brought before the court on May 4.
His legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino, immediately disputed the warrant’s classification, calling it legally incorrect.
He stressed that the offenses cited—under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, connected to the Cybercrime Prevention Act—do not carry penalties that justify denial of bail under Philippine law.
Tolentino explained that Article 154 is only punishable by arresto mayor and fines, and even with cybercrime provisions applied, it still does not reach the threshold of life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua.
Under constitutional provisions, bail remains a right for charges that do not carry the most severe penalties.
Reports indicate Sonza had intended to post bail prior to the issuance of the warrant but was later surprised by its “non-bailable” designation.
The case stemmed from NBI monitoring of online content allegedly posted by Sonza, including a purported medical document involving the President. The document was later disowned by St. Luke’s Medical Center, which described it as falsified, while the Presidential Communications Office also rejected its authenticity.
Authorities said Sonza had deleted the posts, but investigators had already preserved digital evidence, including screenshots and repost records, which were used in filing the complaint before the Department of Justice.
Vlogger Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz was also included in the charges for allegedly spreading the same claims. Tolentino serves as counsel for both.
The NBI has yet to explain why the warrant indicated no bail, but said it acted strictly on a court-issued order.
Both Sonza and Celiz are set to appear before Pasay RTC Branch 118 for further proceedings.
ia/xf
