NBI files raps vs Jay Sonza, vlogger over fake Marcos medical records
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a cyber libel complaint against former broadcaster Jay Sonza and another vlogger Jeffrey Luces Celiz or “Ka Eric Celiz,” for allegedly spreading fake medical records of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
In a statement on Monday, the NBI identified the two social media personalities as “two primary sources of the misinformation,” mentioning that Sonza made posts via his Meta-verified Facebook account while Celiz published content broadcasted via his YouTube channel about the “fake medical records” of the President.
The bureau said its agents specifically documented online posts on January 28 and 29 that showed a supposed CT-scan report alongside Marcos’ images. These posts raised concerns about an alleged “deterioration” in the President’s health and urged transparency regarding his ability to serve the country.
“Although the original Facebook posts were eventually deleted or restricted, the NBI successfully secured the evidence using digital forensic screenshots and by tracking the content as it continued to spread via reposts and citations,” the investigating agency noted.
“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 the unverified medical documents,” it added.
Aside from the recommendation for cyber libel charges, the NBI said the two social media personalities also face “charges for the Unlawful Use of Means of Publication under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.”
‘Social media personality Jack Argota summoned Feb. 18’
In a press conference earlier this Monday, NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the agency summoned vlogger and social media personality Jack Argota to appear before its office on Wednesday, Feb. 18, for the same case involving the President’s fake medical records.
Mallari said Argota was supposed to first appear before the Cybercrime Division on Friday, Feb. 13, for the bureau’s investigation, but he sent an email “requesting for a resetting.”
READ: PCO warns public of fake medical report attributed to Marcos
“So he will appear on Wednesday,” Mallari told reporters.
READ: Circulating Marcos test results ‘fake, falsified’–St. Luke’s
The Presidential Communications Office recently said that Marcos is fully capable of performing his duties, tagging the circulating medical report that the President’s “severe sigmoid diverticulitis” required urgent surgical consultation as “fake.”
The St. Luke’s Medical Center also earlier denied the accuracy and authenticity of medical test results that bear the hospital’s logo. /gsg
