MANILA, Philippines – Pinayagan ng korte na makapagpiyansa si Jay Sonza ng P10,000 kasunod ng pagkakaaresto sa kanya noong nakaraang linggo, ayon sa National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) nitong Linggo, Mayo 3.
“Nakakuha kami ng bagong utos galing sa Regional Trial Court ng Pasay, dated May 2, kahapon po ‘yan, na sinet po ang bail ni Jay Sonza for P10,000,” sinabi ni NBI director Melvin Matibag sa isang video statement.
Idinagdag pa ni Matibag na dadalhin ng mga operatiba ng NBI si Sonza sa korte alas-8 ngayong umaga ng Lunes, Mayo 4.
Samantala, kinumpirma ng abogado ni Sonza na si Atty. Mark Tolentino na magpipiyansa sila ngayong araw.
“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,” ayon kay Tolentino.
Matatandaan na inaresto ng NBI si Sonza noong Abril 30 sa bahay nito sa Quezon City dahil sa umano’y pagpapakalat ng pekeng medical information ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Si Sonza ay sinampahan ng reklamong unlawful use of means of publication at unlawful utterances sa ilalim ng Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, na inamyendahan ng Republic Act 10951, kaugnay sa Section 6 ng RA 10175 o Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Sinabi ng NBI na ang warrant na inisyu ng Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 118 “indicates that the offense is not bailable.”
Iginiit naman ni Tolentino na ang warrant na inisyu ng Pasay RTC ay tinukoy ang “Article 154 as amended by Republic Act No. 10591,” o Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances.
Sa kabila nito, ang Republic Act No. 10591 ay Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Itinama naman ng Pasay RTC Branch 118 ang nauna nitong kautusan.
“However, 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.”
“From the outset, we have maintained that the offense charged is bailable as a matter of right, and the Court’s latest action affirms this position. The prior issuance of a non-bailable warrant was legally erroneous and resulted in an unjustified deprivation of liberty,” ayon naman kay Tolentino.
“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure Mr. Sonza’s prompt release and will continue to pursue appropriate remedies in light of the irregularities in this case,” dagdag pa niya. RNT/JGC
