The camp of Jay Sonza has confirmed the Pasay Regional Trial Court’s decision allowing the former broadcaster to post bail following his arrest for cyberlibel.
Sonza’s lawyer, Atty. Mark Tolentino, releases the update via Facebook today, May 3, 2026:
"We confirm that the Court has allowed Mr. Jay Sonza to post bail in the amount of PHP10,000, correcting its earlier Order which mistakenly treated the charge of Unlawful Publication as not-bailable."
He will ensure the prompt release of his client from a detention facility in Muntinlupa.
"As today is a non-working day and the courts are closed, we will post bail early tomorrow morning [Monday] to secure his immediate release,” says Tolentino.
The Pasay Court issued an order yesterday, May 2, reversing the non-bailable status that it originally stipulated in the warrant of arrest for Sonza.
Tolentino stressed that "the prior issuance of a non-bailable warrant was legally erroneous and resulted in an unjustified deprivation of liberty."
jay SONZA'S arrest
It can be recalled that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Jay on Thursday, April 30, 2026, for allegedly spreading fake news about the health of President Bongbong Marcos.
Tolentino immediately questioned the decision to make it non-bailable.
“Mali ang nakalagay sa warrant of arrest. Nakalagay dun na non-bailable. When you say non-bailable, only if the offense is punishable by reclusion perpetua or lifetime imprisonment.
"Ang kaso nito is six months lang yata ang kaso ng penalty. Very minimal ang offense,” the legal counsel said in a previous statement.
He also commented on the timing of the arrest of his 71-year-old client.
“The arrest of Mr. Sonza on the eve of a holiday and long weekend raises serious and legitimate concerns.
"The practical effect is undeniable—he is prevented from posting bail until the next working day, resulting in unnecessary and prolonged detention,” he said.
With the Pasay Court’s latest order, Tolentino vows to fight for his client’s free speech.
“Sa isang demokratikong lipunan, ang sagot sa pananalita ay hindi pagkakakulong—kundi mas malayang diskurso. Ipaglalaban natin ang karapatan, hindi lang ni Jay Sonza, kundi ng bawat Pilipino na magsalita nang walang takot,” he said.
Since leaving broadcasting, Sonza, a staunch supporter of former President Rogdrigo Duterte, has developed a more volatile presence on social media, frequently sharing his political views.
However, not everyone agrees with his positions.
Sonza’s controversial posts have already landed him in trouble.
In September 2020, Julia Barretto filed a cybercrime complaint against the former media personality after he posted claims that she was pregnant.
In July 2023, Sonza was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration over a pending case of large-scale estafa.
Antonio Trillanes IV also filed a criminal complaint against Sonza in March 2026 following posts alleging that the former senator received a US$2 million (PHP112 million) bribe from Zaldy Co.
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