Jay Sonza
Born
Jose Yumang Sonza

(1955-09-20) September 20, 1955
Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines
Alma materUniversity of Mindanao, (BA)
University of the Philippines, (BS)
Occupation(s)Journalist, newscaster
Political partyKilusang Bagong Lipunan (2009–2010)
Other political
affiliations		BATAS (2007–2009)
Aksyon Demokratiko (until 2007)
SpouseMa. Thelma Hernandez
Children5

Jose Yumang Sonza (born September 20, 1955), more commonly known as Jay Sonza, is a Filipino blogger and a former newscaster and talk show host.[1][2] He was the former station manager of the terrestrial television station UNTV from 2005 to 2009.[3]

Early life and education

Sonza was born on September 20, 1955, in Macabebe, Pampanga,[2] to Dalmacio Sonza and Segundina Yumang.[1] During his childhood, his family migrated to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, near Mount Apo. He was able to work to finance his studies.[2]

He finished both elementary and high school in Bansalan.[1][4] He later took up BA Political Science at the University of Mindanao,[1][4] and BS Economics at the University of the Philippines.[1] Pursuing studies in the United States, he took special studies on satellite broadcasting at the University of Nebraska,[1] as well as a degree at the East-West University in Hawaii; and attended a program of the Civil Service Academy.[4]

Media career

Sonza's career in media began with his job as a writer for radio.[2] He first worked at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation from 1987 to 1995, wherein he was known for the program Mel and Jay, together with Mel Tiangco. The two also popularized another, Partners Mel and Jay,[5] when Sonza then worked at GMA Network until 2004, wherein he became a supervising producer and consultant. Since 2005, he became station manager of UNTV-37. He took his hosting duties in these networks.[4][6] He once worked as news anchor at ABC-5 in 2001.[4]

He became part of radio station DZRH in 2000.[7]

Also worked for publications, Sonza became a People's Daily Forum editor and a correspondent of the Philippine News Agency and two Mindanao-based periodicals. He also worked for The Manila Times, Hot News, and Abante.[4][6]

It was during his career when he won several awards, among them the 2001 PMPC Star Awards for Television, a Catholic Mass Media Award for Public Service, and the Rotary Club of Manila's Outstanding Journalist Award.[4][6] He later retired from the media industry and became a social media personality.[6]

Political career

Sonza worked for Commission on Population–Davao Region as an information officer.[4][6] He also worked at the provincial government of Davao del Sur;[4][5] as well as at the Ministry of Social Services Development for eleven years as a youth development officer for the Bureau of Youth Welfare.[5]

Sonza unsuccessfully ran thrice for various political positions; twice for the Congress: in 2004, for senator under Aksyon Demokratiko; and in 2007, for sectoral representative, being a BATAS party-list nominee.[4][6]

In 2010, being among the eight vice presidential candidates,[8] he ran under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan[9][10] with his running mate disqualified by the Commission on Elections during the campaign.[5] He only placed seventh.[8]

During the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, Sonza, known for being a self-confessed supporter, was widely criticized for spreading fake news and rumors against the government's critics, one of them then vice president Leni Robredo.[6] His various remarks and social media posts even became the subject of fact-checking.[11][12]

Complaint against ABS-CBN

On April 30, 1996, Sonza filed a complaint against ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation before the Department of Labor and Employment, due to allegations of unpaid salaries and fees. Sonza, being the president and general manager of Mel and Jay Management and Development Corporation, had resigned from the network about a month earlier. On July 8, 1997, the Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint for lack of jurisdiction, which was later affirmed by the National Labor Relations Commission, the Court of Appeals, and eventually, the Supreme Court,[13] which cited that Sonza, as broadcast and entertainment talent, is an independent contractor (the same argument referred to Mel Tiangco by the court which also dismissed her own case against the network).[14][15]

Complaint filed by Julia Barretto

On September 25, 2020, actress Julia Barretto filed a complaint against Sonza before the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) Cybercrime Division in connection with his social media post claiming that she was pregnant.[12][16]

2023 arrest

Sonza was arrested and detained by the Bureau of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on July 18, 2023, while en route to his departure for Hong Kong.[17][18][11] This is in connection with a warrant of arrest for eleven counts of estafa issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 100, as well as allegations of syndicated and large scale illegal recruitment (in relation to Republic Act No. 8042, the Migrant Workers Overseas Filipinos Act).[11] He was transferred to the NBI in Manila[17][18] and, on August 3, to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.[18][11] He was detained in a COVID-19 quarantine facility in Quezon City Jail in Payatas.[18]

His arrest was confirmed on August 15 by both BI,[11] NBI,[17] and BJMP.[18][11] It was later confirmed that Quezon City RTC Branches 215 and 100 dismissed the illegal recruitment cases; the latter "provisionally" dismissed the case citing the complainants' failure to appear before the court.[19]

On August 18, Sonza pleaded not guilty before the RTC Branch 77 for a separate, 2007 libel case; charges of estafa before the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 135 are also pending.[20] He was released from detention on August 22 after posting bail of ₱270,000 for both cases.[21]

Personal life

Sonza was formerly married to a woman with whom he has five children.[1][4] His marriage was annulled.[1]

Sonza admitted in a 2010 pre-election interview being a heavy smoker while he was active in media career.[1]

Programs

Awards and nominations

YearAward Giving BodyCategoryNominated WorkResults
2000PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Celebrity Talk Show Hosts (shared with Mel Tiangco)Partners Mel and JayWon

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The Vote 2010: Jose 'Jay' Yumang Sonza". The Philippine Star. May 1, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Echeminada, Perseus (May 1, 2010). "A day in the life... of Jay Sonza". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ "AnakTV bares temporary changes in leadership". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 27, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Caasi, Rosemarie (June 3, 2009). "Profile of Jose "Jay" Yumang Sonza". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Corsino, Nikka (March 10, 2010). "KBL's VP bet sad about Acosta's disqualification, happy for the people". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Remember TV Personality-Turned-Troll Jay Sonza? He's Now Been Detained and Arrested". Esquire Philippines. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "DZRH advertisement". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati. February 14, 2000. p. 19. Retrieved November 22, 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  8. 1 2 Philippines Constitution and Citizenship Law Handboook. Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications. 2013. pp. 118–119. ISBN 978-1-4387-7966-9. Retrieved August 18, 2023 – via Google Books.
  9. ↑ "Jay Sonza, Imelda Papin among 2010 hopefuls". GMA News Online. December 1, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  10. ↑ Dedace, Sophia (March 16, 2010). "Ex-broadcasters' lament: Why 'unfair' coverage of Bangon Pilipinas?". GMA News Online. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bolledo, Jairo (August 15, 2023). "Ex-broadcaster Jay Sonza arrested over estafa, illegal recruitment cases". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Malasig, Jeline (August 15, 2023). "Julia Barretto's pic filing complaint vs Jay Sonza resurfaces amid his arrest". Interaksyon. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ G.R. No. 138051 (June 10, 2004), Jose Y. Sonza, petitioner, vs. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, respondent (Decision), retrieved August 18, 2023
  14. ↑ G.R. No. 200434 (December 6, 2021), Carmela C. Tiangco, petitioner, vs. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, respondent (Decision), retrieved August 18, 2023
  15. ↑ Lalu, Gabriel (June 3, 2022). "SC junks broadcaster Mel Tiangco's petition vs ABS-CBN over suspension, soap ad issue". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Julia Barretto files complaint vs Jay Sonza: 'Hindi ko na pinapalampas yung mga bagay na ganito'". Rappler. September 25, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Baua, Niko (August 15, 2023). "Jay Sonza arrested for alleged illegal recruitment: NBI". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Rita, Joviland (August 15, 2023). "Broadcaster Jay Sonza in custody over alleged estafa, illegal recruitment —BJMP". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  19. ↑ Bolledo, Jairo (August 17, 2023). "Jay Sonza cleared of illegal recruitment, but still in jail due to other cases". Rappler. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ↑ Cabrera, Romina; Cariaso, Bella (August 19, 2023). "Sonza fails to post bail for estafa, libel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ↑ Argosino, Faith (August 22, 2023). "Ex-TV host Jay Sonza released from jail after posting P270,000 bail". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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