Photo courtesy of NBI.
The Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) has set a P10,000 bail for former broadcaster Jay Sonza following his arrest in a cyberlibel case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The court clarified its earlier ruling after initially treating the charge as non-bailable, according to a new order issued on May 2.
The earlier directive from Branch 118 dated April 30 had ordered Sonza’s arrest after finding probable cause over allegations that he spread false medical information about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In its updated order, the court said, “Upon closer examination of the warrant of arrest that it issued where it stated that the offense is not bailable, the Court rectifies the same and hereby fixes the amount of bail at Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) for the provisional liberty of the accused.”
Sonza, who was arrested on the same day the warrant was released, remained under NBI custody following his apprehension.
The court also scheduled his arraignment on May 4 at 8:30 a.m.
The cyberlibel case was filed against Sonza and another vlogger, Jeffrey Luces Celiz, over the alleged circulation of fabricated medical records involving the president.
Authorities earlier said the complaint stemmed from the online dissemination of the disputed information.