Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested former broadcaster Jay Sonza on Thursday evening, April 30, at his residence in Quezon City. The arrest follows allegations that Sonza disseminated fabricated information regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The NBI’s action is rooted in a case buildup initiated in January 2026, which targeted the circulation of unverified medical records, including a purported CT-scan report and claims of the President’s deteriorating health.
Authorities identified Sonza as a primary source of these posts, which were amplified across social media platforms before being deleted or restricted.
Sonza is facing charges for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances) in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The warrant, issued by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 118, notably classified the offense as “not bailable,” a detail that has sparked immediate legal pushback from Sonza’s camp.
His legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino, questioned the “non-bailable” status, arguing that the penalty for the alleged offense is minimal and does not warrant a denial of bail.
“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 stated.
Tolentino further contended that the case should have remained under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) but was elevated to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) due to its cybercrime component.
“But because of the internet aspect umakyat siya sa RTC. This is a bailable offense of bail not required, so ibig sabihin walang authority ang NBI na mag-aresto, ang problema maybe nagkamali ang court nag-issue ng warrant, bakit nag-issue ng warrant na this is the bail is not required in this case,” he added.
While Sonza remains in NBI custody, his defense team plans to file a manifestation before the court to challenge the legality of the arrest and seek his immediate release, citing a lack of legal basis for his continued detention.