QUEZON City Regional Trial Court Judge Editha Mina-Aguba has ordered the release from detention of former newscaster and talk show host Jay Sonza after the case of syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment filed against him was dismissed due to the repeated non-appearance of complainants.

Upon motion of accuses, without objection on the part of the people, considering that with the non-appearance of private complainants, the guilt of the accused could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt, the instant case is hereby dismissed provisionally with the express consent and conformity of the accused,' the judge said.
Sonza was scheduled to depart for Hong Kong on July 18 when Immigration officials prevented him from boarding his flight after learning that an active warrant for syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment had been issued against him.
Despite the release order, Sonza will remain in detention over a libel case filed against him before QC-RTC Branch 77, said a jail official, who requested anonymity.
'By Friday, his libel case will be heard, and he is expected to post bail amounting to P10,000 for his temporary liberty,' he told The Manila Times.
In 2004, Sonza ran for the Senate under Aksyon Demokratiko.
He lost in the elections but later became the UNTV station manager from 2004 to 2009.
In 2010, he filed his candidacy for vice president. He ran under Kilusang Bagong Lipunan but also lost.
Sonza is best known as the co-host of the popular talk show 'Mel and Jay' and later 'Partners Mel and Jay,' both with broadcaster Mel Tiangco.