Journey Singer Arnel Pineda Skips Court, Faces Arrest in Philippines

Arnel Pineda, the Filipino singer who rose to international fame as the frontman of the legendary American rock band Journey, is now wanted by a Philippine court over a domestic violence case filed by his wife.

A judge from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a bench warrant for Pineda’s arrest on September 10 after he repeatedly failed to show up for hearings, including a scheduled arraignment. A sheriff attempted to serve the warrant on September 12 but was unable to find him. The arraignment has been rescheduled for September 17, and the warrant will remain in effect if Pineda misses court again.

The case falls under the Philippines’ Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, a law that is roughly equivalent to domestic violence statutes in the United States. The charges cover alleged emotional and psychological abuse, public humiliation, and denial of financial support.

Prosecutors claim Pineda subjected his wife to years of verbal assaults, manipulation, and coercive behavior, ultimately driving her to leave their home. Court documents trace the couple’s troubled history back to 2003, when she allegedly discovered his infidelity.

They later married in 2008, a year after Journey guitarist Neal Schon discovered Pineda on YouTube and offered him the role of lead vocalist—a career move that transformed his life and brought him global fame.

Despite his success with Journey, the marriage has reportedly been turbulent, with accusations of repeated affairs. His wife says she endured public ridicule and controlling behavior, even as she invested his earnings into businesses and tried to keep the family together for their two children.

Pineda, in turn, filed an adultery case against his wife, which she denies. His legal team argues the domestic violence charges are retaliatory and lack solid evidence, but the court has so far refused to dismiss the case.

The court set Pineda’s bail at roughly $1,250 (₱72,000), but his previous cash bond was revoked and forfeited to the government. For now, the singer faces the possibility of arrest if he fails to appear on September 17.