NBI files cyberlibel complaint vs. Jay Sonza, Eric Celiz

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday announced that it had filed a cyberlibel complaint against former broadcaster Jay Sonza and social media personality Eric Celiz for allegedly spreading false medical information about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a statement, the NBI said it filed the complaint for cyberlibel and unlawful use of means of publication with the Department of Justice.

The bureau said Sonza posted the claims on Facebook, while Celiz published content on his YouTube channel.

According to the NBI, agents documented online posts featuring a supposed CT scan alongside images of Marcos in January, which called for transparency about his “fitness for duty” and an alleged “detoriation” of his condition.

“Although the original Facebook posts were eventually deleted or restricted, the NBI secured evidence using digital forensic screenshots and by tracking the content as it continued to spread via reposts and citations,” the bureau said.

“Simultaneously, surveillance of the ‘Ka Eric Celiz’ YouTube channel uncovered videos that further amplified these claims, questioning the President's ability to lead based on unverified medical documents,” it added.

In January, a document circulated online regarding the president’s supposed health. Malacañang Palace condemned the claims, calling them “fabricated and malicious.”

This followed Marcos being placed under medical observation at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City due to diverticulitis, an inflammation of bulging pouches in the wall of the large intestine.

Meanwhile, NBI Director Lito Magno said the bureau respects the right to free speech, but this does not grant a license to infringe on the rights of others.

GMA News Online has reached out to the respondents for comment and will publish their responses once available.—MCG, GMA Integrated News