Jay Sonza to spend long weekend in NBI custody | DZMM TeleRadyo

Описание: Courtesy of DZMM TeleRadyo

Ex-broadcaster Jay Sonza will be spending the long weekend in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation after he was arrested for spreading fake news about the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Sonza was arrested Thursday night after being charged with violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act, for spreading a fake medical bulletin about the President.

He said that while the arrest warrant stated that the crime is non-bailable, this will need to be cleared when Sonza is presented before the Pasay Regional Trial Court on Monday. Philippine courts are closed on May 1, Labor Day, a public holiday.

“Nung na-enforce po ‘yung warrant gabi, alas-otso na po, sarado na ‘yung korte, at nagkataon holiday po ngayon. Tapos Sabado Linggo, so sa Lunes po talaga…Dadalhin po natin si Jay Sonza diyan pagbukas nitong Lunes,” he said.

The NBI has provided a wheelchair for Sonza after he complained of problems with his mobility. Medical personnel will also be on standby while he is in custody after he complained that he has asthma.

Matibag said Sonza’s lawyer will be allowed to visit him in the NBI facility.

The NBI earlier said Sonza’s arrest stemmed from earlier case buildup and cyber-surveillance operations conducted in January 2026, wherein Sonza was identified as one of those responsible for circulating unverified and misleading information involving Marcos, including a purported CT-scan report and statements alleging Marcos' deteriorating health.

During his arrest, Sonza said he was surprised that the charge is not bailable but said he will leave it up to his lawyers.

He said he was not surprised that the arrest came in the evening after the courts were alreaddy closed.

Sonza’s legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino, questioned both the arrest and the classification of the charge as not bailable, arguing that the penalty for the alleged offense is minimal.

“Actually yung kaso, expected na ito but di namin expected na arestuhin siya today. Kasi nagusap kami kaninang umaga, yung kaso kasi na na-file sa court dalawa yan, yun tinatawag na cyber libel and yung unlawful publication, but yung na-issuehan ng warrant yung unlawful publication. Very minimal na kaso lang iyan. I think nasa 6 months imprisonment lang iyan so mali yung, ang problema mali yung nakalagay sa warrant of arrest,” Tolentino said.

“Nakalagay dun non-bailable. Ang kaso na ito is 6 months lang yata ang kaso na penalty, very minimal offense, RTC lang ang jurisdiction kasi in relation to cybercrime, that’s why umakyat siya ang kaso na ito dapat MTC lang.”

He added that the case was elevated to the RTC due to its cybercrime component.

The defense plans to challenge the arrest before the court and seek Sonza’s immediate release.

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