The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed cyberlibel and other criminal complaints before the Department of Justice against former broadcaster Jay Sonza and vlogger Jeffrey Celiz for allegedly spreading false information about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s health.
In a statement Monday, the NBI identified the two as the primary sources of a fabricated medical document bearing the logo of a private hospital and the image of the President, which claimed he had “severe sigmoid diverticulitis.”
The falsified report circulated online after Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed on January 22 that Marcos spent a night in a hospital due to “discomfort.” Both the hospital and Castro later declared the document fake.
Investigators said that although the original posts had been deleted or restricted, authorities secured digital evidence and traced the initial source through reposts and online citations.
Besides cyberlibel, Sonza and Celiz were also accused of unlawful use of means of publication. Both are known supporters of the Duterte family.
This is not the first time the two faced legal complaints. In 2025, they were respondents in a cyberlibel case filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros over allegations tied to detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy. The case was dismissed on February 5 for lack of prima facie evidence.
Sonza was previously arrested in 2023 over alleged large-scale illegal recruitment but was later released after cases were dismissed and bail was posted in other pending complaints.
Celiz, meanwhile, was cited in contempt by the House legislative franchises committee that same year for refusing to disclose his source of false information against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
As of press time, Celiz continued uploading videos on his YouTube channel, with his latest post still claiming the President’s health was deteriorating.