BY JEFFREY DAMICOG * NEIL RAMOS
Actress Julia Barretto filed today a cyber libel case against former broadcaster Jay Sonza at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the latter’s Facebook post alleging that she is pregnant with Gerald Anderson’s baby.
NBI Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD) Chief Victor Lorenzo confirmed that Barretto was accompanied by her lawyer when she went to his office to file a complaint against Sonza.
“Nag-file siya ng cyber libel at (violation of) Safe Spaces Act against Jay Sonza,” said the NBI official.
Lorenzo said Barretto attached to her statement the online posts made by the broadcaster.
“May mga attachments sila ni Jay Sonza tungkol sa pagbubuntis (They have attachments of Sonza’s posts about Barretto’s alleged pregnancy),” Lorenzo said.
Prior to Barretto’s appearance at the NBI, Sonza apologized to Barretto and Anderson for posting on social media that the couple are expecting their first child.
In his Sept. 21 Facebook post, Sonza said: “Congratulations sa aking kapitbahay sa Congressional Village, Bahay Toro, Quezon City. Napatunayan nina Visoy (Visayan tisoy) Gerald Anderson at anak nina Dennis Padilla at Marjorie na si Julia Barreto na kapuwa hindi sila baog. After months of love lockdown and ESQ (exact sex quadrant) – may nabuo sa sinapupunan ni Julia.”
The following day, Sonza posted an apology on Facebook: “Sorry if my congratulations are early. I’ll just put my gift to them aside.”
Despite Sonza’s apology, Barretto said she asked the NBI to investigate his “untrue and irresponsible statements” on his social media account.
Barretto said, “I am pursuing this case because the statements made by Mr. Sonza are untrue and irresponsible. The widespread reposting of the news based on his post caused distress to me and my family. I don’t want to take this matter lightly. Mr. Sonza, and all those who publish these reckless and baseless posts, must be held accountable for their actions so that they think twice before claiming things as fact.”
