On August 15, the National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the former broadcaster Jay Sonza got arrested for alleged syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment.
Sonza’s arrest sparked mixed reactions and comments from personalities on X (formerly known as Twitter.)
Showbiz news reporter Ogie Diaz felt sympathetic for Sonza’s family.
O, nakakalungkot na balita ito para sa kanyang mga anak at apo.😰 https://t.co/MS1opTUjVv
— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) August 15, 2023
Writer and podcaster Richard Heydarian connected Sonza’s arrest to Donald Trump’s series of indictments.
First Trump Arrest Warrant, then this!? #JaySonza pic.twitter.com/SMEdTlp6jK
— Richard Heydarian (@Richeydarian) August 15, 2023
Drag Race Philippines Season 2 Queen DeeDee Marié Holliday quoted her previous post about having Sonza arrested, with the photo of Sonza’s mugshot and the caption, ‘it finally did.’
https://twitter.com/DeeDeeMarieH/status/1691365418974482432
Columnist JC Punongbayan quoted a post looking back at Sonza and Mel Tiangco’s previous program, noting whether the Kapuso anchor would be the one to break the news on air about her former colleague.
I wonder if Tita Mel will break the news on 24 Oras tonight. https://t.co/Iz48fjEFkD
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) August 15, 2023
Forensic Pathologist Raquel Fortun was shocked about the criminal case against the known fake-news peddler.
Akala ko obnoxious lang siya https://t.co/x3LH0XpN5Y
— Raquel Fortun (@Doc4Dead) August 15, 2023
Personality Miss Krizzy reposted an art card highlighting Sonza’s statement about the case filed against the Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, noting how ‘Karma’ came for the former broadcast journalist.
This post didn’t age well. Karma is a bitch! 💀😂 https://t.co/7gLEoaM98f
— 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 (@krizzy_kalerqui) August 15, 2023
Journalist Raissa Robles joked at how orange fits Sonza’s new fashion statement.
Hanep, bagay pala ang orange kay @JaySonza3 For once, I agree with his fashion statement. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/qgVF9ps0wA
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) August 15, 2023
Social media personality Charot posted Sonza’s mugshot in response to a netizens inquiry.
Eto ang lumabas. Charot! https://t.co/A3doPWaJhb pic.twitter.com/D55146glFJ
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) August 15, 2023
Social media personality Jai Cabajar quoted Sonza’s previous post about filing criminal cases against former Vice President Leni Robredo, pointing to the irony of what happened.
Eh sinong nakulong? https://t.co/6xHA9Y9Peg
— Jai Cabajar (@jaicabajar) August 15, 2023
Blogger Jover Laurio exclaimed her surprise after the confirmation of the mugshots of Sonza.
Ayun totoo pala mugshot.
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) August 15, 2023
Earlier, NBI Assistant Director Glenn Ricarte verified Sonza’s arrest following a temporary detention and arrest conducted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on July 18, 2023. The charges filed against the former broadcaster were syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment.
The incident occurred during Sonza’s boarding for a flight to Hong Kong from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, wherein he came under scrutiny during an immigration interview due to an ongoing estafa case against him.
In recent developments, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court dismissed the syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment case filed against former broadcaster Jay Sonza.
