Jay Sonza

Edit links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Yumang and the surname or paternal family name is Sonza.

Jay Sonza
Born
Jose Yumang Sonza

(1955-09-20) September 20, 1955 (age 68)
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

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

Bansalan, Davao del Sur, near Mount Apo. He was able to work to finance his studies.[2] During that time, he worked as a bartender in resto-bars in Davao City.[4]

He finished both elementary and high school in Bansalan.

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.[5]

Media career

At his teenage years, Sonza worked at

news anchor. His expertise also gave way to be part of DXUL, DXDC, DXRA, DXRP and an ad promo agency.[6] He worked as well as a writer for radio.[2]

He became part of

announcer, news director and program director; at the same time, he acted as officer in charge of the network's DXDC and DXXL in Davao City.[7] He returned in 2001 as program host.[9]

He worked at

newscast TV Patrol.[8] He then worked at GMA Network until 2004, wherein he became a supervising producer and consultant.[5][10] He was the director of GMA Bisig Bayan Foundation.[11]

Sonza, together with

Partners Mel and Jay,[7][12][15] and later on DZBB.[11][13]

Since 2005, he became station manager of

ABC-5 in 2001[5] but later resigned due to pressure at his own consultancy firm.[7]

He also became part of radio station DZRH in 2000.[11][16]

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, Abante,[6] and Abante Tonite.[6][5][10]

It was during his career when he won several awards, among them the

social media personality.[10]

Sonza was among the witnesses presented by the prosecution during the

2000 impeachment trial of then president Joseph Estrada.[17]

Political career

Sonza worked for Commission on Population–Davao Region as an information officer.[5][10] He also worked at the provincial government of Davao del Sur,[5][15] being an administrator for six years;[11] as well as at the Ministry of Social Services Development for eleven years as a youth development officer for the Bureau of Youth Welfare.[15]

Sonza reportedly had been interested in

Lapian ng Masang Pilipino and Lakas parties invited him to be in their senatorial lineup in the 2001 elections.[11] He later unsuccessfully ran thrice for various political positions; twice for the Congress: in 2004, for senator under Alyansa ng Pag-asa coalition[18] and Aksyon Demokratiko; and in 2007, for sectoral representative, being a BATAS party-list nominee.[5][10]

vice presidential candidates,[19] he ran under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan[20][21] with his running mate disqualified by the Commission on Elections during the campaign.[15] He only placed seventh.[19]

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.[10] His various remarks and social media posts even became the subject of fact-checking.[22][23]

Business career

At a time, Sonza, also a farmer,[13] had three business enterprises. Being into agribusiness, his family had a fruit and animal farm in Bansalan in the 1990s.[4] He was also managing his own restaurant, Retro Bar and Restaurant, in Quezon City.[4][11] He put up his own production company named after his Tapatan television program.[4]

Legal issues

Complaint against ABS-CBN

On April 30, 1996, Sonza filed a complaint against ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation before the

independent contractor (the same argument referred to Mel Tiangco by the court which also dismissed her own case against the network).[25][26]

Complaint by ABS-CBN vs. Sonza et al

A

civil case was filed by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation against Sonza and Tiangco (who was also charged with violating the network's policy against endorsing products) for their breach of talent agreement with the network. Another was filed in 1996 against GMA-7 for reportedly interfering with the agreement. The contract, stating that the two were exclusive talent of ABS-CBN until 1997, was breached however as they agreed with GMA-7 to produce Partners Mel and Jay a year prior.[27]

The cases were dismissed by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in 1998; the ruling was affirmed by the CA on August 6, 2003.[27]

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.[23][28]

2023 arrest

Sonza was arrested and detained by the

estafa issued by Quezon City RTC 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).[22] He was transferred to the NBI in Manila[29][30] and, on August 3, to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.[30][22] He was detained in a COVID-19 quarantine facility in Quezon City Jail in Payatas.[30]

His arrest was confirmed on August 15 by both BI,[22] NBI,[29] and BJMP.[30][22] 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.[31]

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.[32] He was released from detention on August 22 after posting bail of ₱270,000 for both cases.[33]

Personal life

Sonza was formerly married to a woman with whom he has five children.[1][5] His marriage was annulled[1] in 1999.[11]

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

Programs

Awards and nominations

Year Award-giving body Category Nominated work Results Ref.
2000 14th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Celebrity Talk Show Hosts[a][b]
GMA-7
)		 Won [35]
2001 15th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Celebrity Talk Show Host[a] Won [36]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Shared with fellow host Mel Tiangco.
  2. ^ Tied with Kris Aquino.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Vote 2010: Jose 'Jay' Yumang Sonza". The Philippine Star. May 1, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c d e Salazar, Marlet (May 12, 2000). "Jay Sonza's ventures into entrepreneurship". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. C1–C2. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google Books.
  5. ^
    ABS-CBN News
    . Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Capuno, Jims Vincent (April 27–28, 2012). "Davao journalists making it big to the national scene". Edge Davao (Special issue). pp. S2, S6. Retrieved March 2, 2024 – via Issuu.
  7. ^ a b c d Lo, Ricky (May 23, 2002). "Jay Sonza new RMN head?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Salterio, Leah (August 6, 2007). "Jake Maderazo back at DZXL". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Jay Sonza sa RMN News". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Tagalog). June 9, 2001. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Remember TV Personality-Turned-Troll Jay Sonza? He's Now Been Detained and Arrested". Esquire Philippines. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Salterio, Leah (July 31, 2000). "Showbiz Tidbits: Jay Sonza says he wants to marry Mel Tiangco". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. B9. Retrieved February 27, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  12. ^ a b c d e Valle, Jocelyn (April 1, 2000). "Mel and Jay, 12 years later". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 39B. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  13. ^ a b c d Jimenez, Alex (November 18, 1996). "Tandems and trios are here to stay". Manila Standard. p. 42B. Retrieved February 27, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  14. ^ a b Japitana, Norma (July 1, 1996). "Scenes: Jealousy". Manila Standard. p. 39B. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  15. ^
    GMA News Online
    . Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d "DZRH advertisement". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati. February 14, 2000. p. 19. Retrieved November 22, 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  17. ISBN 0-595-18437-5. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google Books
    .
  18. ^ Citations (2004 elections):
  19. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4387-7966-9. Retrieved August 18, 2023 – via Google Books
    .
  20. GMA News Online
    . December 1, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  21. GMA News Online
    . Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Bolledo, Jairo (August 15, 2023). "Ex-broadcaster Jay Sonza arrested over estafa, illegal recruitment cases". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Malasig, Jeline (August 15, 2023). "Julia Barretto's pic filing complaint vs Jay Sonza resurfaces amid his arrest". Interaksyon. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  24. ^ G.R. No. 138051 (June 10, 2004), Jose Y. Sonza, petitioner, vs. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, respondent (Decision), retrieved August 18, 2023
  25. ^ G.R. No. 200434 (December 6, 2021), Carmela C. Tiangco, petitioner, vs. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, respondent (Decision), retrieved August 18, 2023
  26. Inquirer.net
    . Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Cruz, Marinel (August 11, 2004). "ABS-CBN appeal on Mel-Jay case junked". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. C1, C7. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google Books.
  28. ^ "Julia Barretto files complaint vs Jay Sonza: 'Hindi ko na pinapalampas yung mga bagay na ganito'". Rappler. September 25, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  29. ^
    ABS-CBN News
    . Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  30. ^
    GMA News Online
    . Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  31. ^ Bolledo, Jairo (August 17, 2023). "Jay Sonza cleared of illegal recruitment, but still in jail due to other cases". Rappler. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  32. ^ Cabrera, Romina; Cariaso, Bella (August 19, 2023). "Sonza fails to post bail for estafa, libel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  33. Inquirer.net
    . Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  34. ^ Vibas, Danny (September 12, 2007). "Jay Sonza is alive and newscasting". The Manila Times. p. C2. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Google Books.
  35. ^ "Happy, triumphant faces at the 14th PMPC Star Awards for TV". The Philippine Star. October 9, 2000. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  36. ^ "15th Star Awards for TV: And the winners are... them again!". The Philippine Star. October 8, 2001. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
Party political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Vicente Magsaysay 		Kilusang Bagong Lipunan nominee for Vice President of the Philippines
2010 		Most recent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Sonza&oldid=1230055251"