THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has brought cyber libel charges against a former journalist and a popular YouTuber for allegedly spreading false information about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health. The charges, filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), stem from the dissemination of fabricated medical reports online.
The NBI’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) initiated a cyber-surveillance operation in January 2026, which led to the identification of Jose Yumang Sonza, known as Jay Sonza, and Jeffrey Luces Celiz, known as Ka Eric Celiz, as the primary sources of the misinformation. Sonza allegedly used his Meta-verified Facebook account, while Celiz reportedly used his YouTube channel, which has nearly 10 million views, to spread the false claims.
NBI agents documented posts on January 28 and 29, 2026, that featured a CT-scan report and images of President Marcos. These posts questioned the President’s fitness for duty and alleged a deterioration in his health. Despite the original Facebook posts being deleted or restricted, the NBI secured digital forensic screenshots and tracked the content as it spread through reposts and citations. The NBI also found videos on Celiz’s YouTube channel that amplified these claims, questioning the President’s leadership abilities based on the unverified medical documents.
The NBI is recommending that both Sonza and Celiz be prosecuted for cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (R.A. 10175). They 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.
“In an era where information can rapidly influence public perception, we remind all stakeholders that freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to ensure accuracy and accountability,” stated NBI Director Atty. Angelito DLP. Magno.
Director Magno emphasized the NBI’s commitment to monitoring the digital space to prevent the spread of malicious misinformation. He clarified that while the NBI respects free speech, this right is not absolute and does not allow individuals to infringe upon the rights of others. He asserted that freedom of expression ends where the rights of another are violated, underscoring the legal and public responsibility to ensure accurate reporting.
