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Advocates Philippines
Veteran DZRH Reporter Arrested After Covering Manila Councilor Case; Press Groups Warn Of Chilling Effect
FILE
Veteran DZRH radio journalist Misael “Boy” Gonzales Jr. was arrested on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, by the Manila Police District (MPD) after a complaint under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 was filed against him following his report on a high-profile case involving a city official.
Gonzales, a longtime broadcaster, was taken into custody outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Ermita, Manila, while on assignment, according to DZRH and other local news outlets.
The arrest stems from Gonzales’ reporting on a warrant of arrest issued in September 2025 by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 against Manila Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr., a retired police colonel facing allegations of lascivious conduct involving a minor. Bail for Ibay was set at ₱400,000.
Ibay had previously filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against Gonzales and another reporter, which were dismissed due to lack of probable cause. Prosecutors later recommended filing charges under the Data Privacy Act. Gonzales’ legal team has reportedly filed a motion for reconsideration.
Critics argue that Gonzales’ report relied on official court documents, public records that journalists commonly cite when covering matters of public interest.
The National Press Club (NPC) condemned the arrest in a statement Thursday, warning that penalizing a journalist for using official sources could have a chilling effect on press freedom. The NPC urged authorities to uphold due process and constitutional protections, emphasizing that journalists must be able to report on matters of legitimate public concern without fear of intimidation or undue legal harassment.
Similarly, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called the arrest clearly retaliatory and an abuse of the law, noting that such actions can discourage media coverage of government and judicial matters.
Under Philippine law, the Data Privacy Act protects personal information from unauthorized processing, with the National Privacy Commission responsible for enforcement. The law distinguishes between sensitive personal data and information contained in public records necessary for law enforcement and public accountability.
Gonzales remains in MPD custody, with bail reportedly set at ₱18,000 in the case against him.
Gonzales, a longtime broadcaster, was taken into custody outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Ermita, Manila, while on assignment, according to DZRH and other local news outlets.
The arrest stems from Gonzales’ reporting on a warrant of arrest issued in September 2025 by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 against Manila Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr., a retired police colonel facing allegations of lascivious conduct involving a minor. Bail for Ibay was set at ₱400,000.
Ibay had previously filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against Gonzales and another reporter, which were dismissed due to lack of probable cause. Prosecutors later recommended filing charges under the Data Privacy Act. Gonzales’ legal team has reportedly filed a motion for reconsideration.
Critics argue that Gonzales’ report relied on official court documents, public records that journalists commonly cite when covering matters of public interest.
The National Press Club (NPC) condemned the arrest in a statement Thursday, warning that penalizing a journalist for using official sources could have a chilling effect on press freedom. The NPC urged authorities to uphold due process and constitutional protections, emphasizing that journalists must be able to report on matters of legitimate public concern without fear of intimidation or undue legal harassment.
Similarly, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called the arrest clearly retaliatory and an abuse of the law, noting that such actions can discourage media coverage of government and judicial matters.
Under Philippine law, the Data Privacy Act protects personal information from unauthorized processing, with the National Privacy Commission responsible for enforcement. The law distinguishes between sensitive personal data and information contained in public records necessary for law enforcement and public accountability.
Gonzales remains in MPD custody, with bail reportedly set at ₱18,000 in the case against him.
Mar 12, 2026
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