Despite the “clear” Order of Release issued by the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 118, former newscaster Jay Sonza remains behind bars, said his lawyer, Atty. Mark Tolentino on Monday.

In a social media post, Tolentino said they have been waiting three hours at the detention center, despite National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag’s statement that Sonza should be freed “without delay.”

“Kami ay naghihintay ng halos tatlong (3) oras sa loob ng detention center, subalit hindi pa rin naipatupad ang utos ng hukuman,” he wrote.

“Ito ay nangyayari sa kabila ng hayagang pahayag ni Melvin Matibag, NBI Director, na si Jay Sonza ay dapat nang palayain immediately and without delay,” he added.

The lawyer said that operatives are still awaiting additional instructions from the NBI Head Office before releasing Sonza.

Tolentino stressed that an order of release signed by a judge must immediately be carried out, and cannot be delayed due to internal processes or clearances.

“Mariin naming binibigyang-diin na ang isang Order of Release na pirmado ng hukuman ay dapat agad na ipinatutupad, at hindi maaaring ipagpaliban batay lamang sa internal na proseso o clearance,” he said.

He concluded that Sonza’s camp continues to monitor the situation and will do everything they can to ensure Sonza’s immediate release.

Earlier, Matibag confirmed that Sonza’s ₱10,000 bail was already processed. The Pasay RTC issued a release order, which was signed and affixed with a seal.

Earlier, Tolentino claimed in an interview with reporters that the Pasay RTC presiding judge had apologized for an error in the arrest warrant it had issued, which erroneously indicated that his offense was a non-bailable one.

In spite of the court’s error, Sonza’s camp does not plan to take legal action in response.

Sonza was due to be released before noon today, said the lawyer earlier.