Ex-broadcast journalist Jay Sonza arrested for cyber libel
Former broadcast journalist Jay Sonza was arrested in Quezon City on Thursday evening for allegedly spreading disinformation regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The National Bureau of Investigation executed the warrant following Sonza’s involvement in circulating unverified claims, including a purported CT-scan report and statements suggesting the President’s health was deteriorating.
Sonza is charged with violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The NBI said that it has "preserved the evidence through digital forensic methods, including authenticated screenshots and tracking of reposted content."
"These materials formed part of the evidence submitted before the Department of Justice, which led to the filing of charges and the eventual issuance of the warrant," they wrote.
The warrant indicates that the offense is not bailable.
Sonza’s legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino, confirmed that his client is currently in NBI custody and promised an update soon.
"Hindi namin palalagpasin ang anumang paglabag. Babantayan namin ang bawat hakbang. Aaksyon kami kung kinakailangan," he said in a statement shared on Facebook.
In another statement, he emphasized that “unlawful publication” is not punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.
"Samakatuwid, ito ay bailable as a matter of right," Tolentino said. "Ang pagturing dito bilang non-bailable sa warrant laban kina Jay Sonza at Eric Celiz ay maling aplikasyon ng batas."
"Kami ay kikilos agad upang igiit ang kanilang karapatan sa piyansa alinsunod sa 1987 Philippine Constitution," he continued.
In January, medical documents that showed Marcos was hospitalized for diverticulitis went viral. The Palace was quick to deny this, saying "The President is well, fully capable of performing his duties, and continues to discharge his official responsibilities."
St. Luke's Medical Center also denied this in a public advisory shared on Facebook on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The hospital said the viral test results are "fake and falsified," noting it "strictly upholds patient confidentiality and data privacy."
"Medical results are released only to the patient himself/herself through authorized and official hospital channels," it said.
"Any medical results or documents obtained, posted, shared, or circulated outside these authorized channels are considered unauthorized, fraudulent, or falsified," it added, warning that posting or sharing of a patient's medical information is a breach of data privacy and is punishable by law.
