At A Glance
- A sheriff tried to serve the warrant on September 12 but could not locate the singer.
Iconic American rock act Journey’s celebrated Pinoy frontman Arnel Pineda is facing arrest after repeatedly skipping court hearings in a domestic violence complaint filed by his wife in Quezon City.
Judge Mary Ann Punzalan-Toribio of the QC Regional Trial Court Branch 99 issued a bench warrant on September 10 after Pineda failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.
A sheriff tried to serve the warrant on September 12 but could not locate the singer.
Bail was set at ₱72,000, but his earlier cash bond was revoked in favor of the government.
The case stems from a complaint under Section 5(i) of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262), which penalizes emotional or psychological abuse, public humiliation, and denial of support.
Prosecutors allege that Pineda subjected his wife to years of “verbal assaults, manipulation, and coercive behavior,” driving her to leave their home.
Court records trace their turbulent relationship back to 2003, when Pineda’s wife—then his live-in partner—allegedly discovered his womanizing. They married in 2008, a year after Pineda’s life changed dramatically when Journey guitarist Neal Schon discovered him on YouTube and offered him the role of lead vocalist.
Despite the international fame and financial success that followed, the marriage reportedly suffered repeated infidelities. His wife claims she endured public ridicule and controlling behavior, even as she invested his earnings in businesses and tried to keep the family together for their two children.
Pineda countered by filing an adultery case against her, which she denies. His lawyers argue the domestic violence charge is retaliatory and based on weak evidence, but the court has maintained jurisdiction.
The arraignment is reset for September 17, with the bench warrant still in effect should Pineda again fail to appear.