Arnel Pineda charged with Anti-VAWC rap over marital infidelity
Fiscal: There is enough evidence Arnel’s wife suffered psychological violence.
The fiscal ruled that there is sufficient evidence showing Cherry Pineda suffered “psychological violence” due to Journey frontman Arnel Pineda’s alleged marital infidelity. Cherry presented proof of his “sexual relationship” with another woman in 2021.
PHOTO/S: Arnel Pineda Facebook
Arnel Pineda is facing charges for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act due to his infidelity with his non-showbiz wife, Cherry Pineda.
This is based on the resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, which has 22 pages and is dated June 2025.
The resolution details Cherry’s account of Arnel’s alleged repeated womanizing.
Arnel is the frontman of the American rock band Journey.
Cherry manages her husband’s business.
HOW ARNEL PINEDA MET HIS WIFE
According to Cherry, she was working as a real estate agent and receptionist at a bar when she and Arnel met in March 2003.
They became lovers and eventually decided to live under the same roof. They also had Cherry’s two children from a previous relationship.
It was only the first year that Cherry discovered, through Arnel’s exchange of text messages, his alleged “flings” with various women.
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Cherry also allegedly discovered his addiction to alcohol and drug abuse.
But she said she chose to stay in their relationship in the hope that the singer would change.
The couple started a family.
Arnel and Cherry’s first child was born in 2005.
The couple got married in “November 2008”—or almost a year after Arnel suddenly rose to fame when he was hired as the lead singer of the band Journey.
They say their family’s life has been comfortable since then.
But according to Cherry, Arnel’s alleged womanizing has worsened, as has his development of bad habits.
It was in 2011 that Cherry discovered Arnel’s alleged affair with one of their friends—a betrayal that was very painful for Cherry.
CHERRY PINEDA INVESTS ARNEL PINEDA’S EARNINGS
Cherry said she still hopes that Arnel will change.
Cherry and Arnel’s youngest child was born in 2012, and at that time, their marriage was going well.
Cherry said, still based on the resolution, she created a way to grow the savings from Arnel’s income, knowing that the singer’s job was not for life.
With the help of her background as a real estate agent and her studies in various investments, Cherry was able to grow her and her husband’s investments.
They founded a commercial building in Quezon City, and it was registered in Cherry’s name as the “sole proprietor” because this business was his idea.
They also reportedly built a rental home in Cavite, and even purchased a farm lot in Cavite and another lot in Bulacan.
Cherry also invested in mutual funds to increase their income.
Cherry reportedly supervised them while Arnel focused on his career as a singer.
Until Cherry discovered Arnel’s alleged continued womanizing.
It was in 2014 when he allegedly caught Arnel exchanging text messages with a woman with a different code name on his mobile phone.
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This reportedly caused a great deal of conflict between the couple.
By 2021, they were fighting again over Arnel’s alleged womanizing.
“Thereafter, she again discovered messages between him and other women indicating that they had sexual intercourse or intimate relationships,” the prosecutor said when he repeated Cherry’s statement in the resolution.
According to Cherry, whenever Arnel feels like giving up, he complains to his parents to convince them to consider the welfare of their children.
CONFRONTATION OVER PROPERTIES
In May 2023, the couple’s relationship reportedly deteriorated further.
Cherry was having lunch with her children in their building in Quezon City when Arnel’s driver suddenly arrived.
Arnel allegedly ordered the driver to have Cherry sign a document giving sole authorization to Arnel over their joint bank accounts.
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When Cherry did not agree, Arnel reportedly arrived at the scene himself and created a scandal.
Arnel allegedly cursed at him and threatened to take legal action if he did not sign the document.
Arnel also wants to return all the jewelry she gave him.
But Cherry stood her ground and refused to agree to what the singer wanted.
Base pa rin sa resolusyon, sabi ng piskal: “During those chaotic times, respondent projected his own infidelities onto her, falsely accusing her of having an affair.
“To control and monitor her movement respondent installed a tracker in her car and relentlessly urged her to sign a waiver that would essentially strip of her rights to their shared assets she had worked hard to build and manage.”
CHERRY PINEDA LEAVES MARITAL HOME
It was June 2023 when Cherry decided to pack up and leave her and Arnel’s house.
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Cherry lived in her father’s house.
Arnel is left with custody of their two children, as well as Cherry’s child from a previous relationship. Cherry’s eldest child from a previous relationship has long since been removed from the couple’s custody.
When Cherry left their marital home, Arnel allegedly pressured her even more.
She was accused of having an affair with another man.
Saad ng piskal: “Respondent projected his own infidelities onto her, falsely accusing her of having an affair.
“Respondent messaged several relatives and friends, claiming she left because of another man, when, in truth, she left because of the continuous mental and emotional pain he inflicted through his betrayals.
“Respondent went as far as trying to seize control of their funds and properties to coerce her into returning home.”
She said Arnel forced her to sign a “waiver and quitclaim” to give up all their properties and bank accounts.
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Because their children were also affected, Cherry was forced to hand over the titles of their properties.
But Cherry still hasn’t signed the waiver and quitclaim, saying he wants to send it to his lawyers.
Following this, Arnel formally sued her for adultery.
Arnel filed two counts of adultery against Cherry: one at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office in June 2023, and one at the Baguio Prosecutor’s Office in September 2023.
In July 2023, Cherry visited Arnel’s house to see the children.
Arnel reportedly confronted him and said that the lawsuit against him would be withdrawn if he signed the waiver.
Arnel said that all he wanted was “control and management.”
But Cherry didn’t agree.
Amid the couple’s complicated arguments, Cherry shared that in July 2023 she was diagnosed with “Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Severe with Psychotic Features and prescribed regular medications.”
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BARRED FROM ENTERING VILLAGE GATE
Still based on the resolution, there was an incident where there was a commotion in the subdivision where Cherry and Arnel had their marital home.
That happened in December 2023. Cherry was going to visit the children and she was bringing gifts for them.
Cherry said she was surprised when the guard wouldn’t let her enter the subdivision without Arnel’s permission.
Cherry’s son even had to convince the guard to let him in.
But the vehicle was not allowed in. Cherry and her parents walked from the subdivision gate to her and Arnel’s house while the guards followed.
Cherry is very shy.
But Cherry also confirmed from homeowners association officers that there was an instruction from Arnel not to let her enter the subdivision when there was no one in the Pineda family’s house.
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Arnel himself also told Cherry that he had CCTV with audio installed in the house so that he could monitor his visits to their children.
CONFRONTATION OVER PROPERTIES
Cherry’s statement is still based on the resolution, and Arnel’s alleged fighting and harassment against her has not ended.
By May 2024, Arnel allegedly discussed their commercial building and insisted on asking her for financial records for their rentals there.
He was also reportedly forbidden from visiting his children, and they were allegedly used to force him to comply with his demands.
Arnel allegedly used various “tactics” to torture and manipulate her, which is why Cherry decided to sue her husband for violating the Anti-VAWC Act.
Cherry’s complaint included statements from individuals who allegedly witnessed the abuse Cherry suffered in the presence of the singer.
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ARNEL PINEDA’S counter-affidavit
On the other hand, the prosecutor also recounted in the resolution the contents of Arnel’s counter-narrative.
Arnel denied the allegations made against him by Cherry.
According to Arnel, the only reason Cherry sued him was to counter the previous adultery complaint filed by the singer.
It was in 2021 when Arnel allegedly discovered from common friends between him and Cherry about Cherry’s alleged relationship with another man.
Arnel confronted Cherry about it several times.
During an argument between the couple in 2022, Cherry allegedly challenged Arnel to have her put under surveillance to prove that she was telling the truth.
Arnel is apparently verifying Cherry’s challenge.
With the help of Arnel’s lawyer, he hired a private investigator to monitor Cherry.
This is where Arnel learned of five alleged incidents of Cherry meeting her man—some in Metro Manila and some out of town.
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Arnel submitted sworn affidavits from three individuals who allegedly witnessed Cherry’s relationship with another man.
Arnel also stressed that Cherry’s claim that he was the only one who managed their investments and business was a big lie because Cherry didn’t have a job.
According to Arnel, he is the “sole provider” in the family, so all “income, assets, and investments” come from him.
COURT RESOLUTION
In the end, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court sided with Cherry.
The prosecutor said there is sufficient basis to charge Arnel with violating the Anti-VAWC Act Section 5 Paragraph I.
The prosecutor explained that there are four elements to say that “psychological violence” occurred.
First, the victim is a woman or child.
Second, the victim is the spouse or ex-spouse of the offender.
Third, the offender caused “emotional anguish” to the victim.
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And fourth, the victim’s suffering is caused by public humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, or denial of financial support or custody of minor children.
In the case of the celebrity couple, all elements are said to be “present” because Cherry was found to have suffered “psychological violence” caused by Arnel’s “marital infidelity” in 2021.
Paliwanag ng piskal: “Evidence disclose that in January to February 2021 respondent maintained a sexual relationship with a woman not his spouse under the name of ‘Lauro Buenavista.’
“Complainant as the spouse of the respondent caused her psychological and emotional abuse.
“Marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. Logic and experience dictate that any woman who goes through that kind of ordeal would suffer psychologically and emotionally as a consequence.”
On the other hand, Cherry had allegations that were dismissed by the prosecutor.
The prosecutor dismissed Arnel’s alleged incidents of womanizing in 2008, 2011, and 2014 due to lack of evidence. The 2008 and 2011 cases are also no longer covered by the prescription period.
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The prosecutor also did not accept the allegation that Cherry was banned from seeing the children, because in the end she was still allowed to visit the house, even though she was delayed at the subdivision gate in 2023.
The prosecutor also rejected the allegation of psychological abuse due to Arnel’s alleged use of illegal drugs because no evidence was recovered from the respondent.
The prosecutor also dismissed the allegation that Arnel manipulated Cherry in the management of their building.
According to the prosecutor, Arnel has the right to co-manage his and Cherry’s conjugal properties because he is considered a co-owner.
ARNEL PINEDA CAMP’S REACTION TO VAWC CASE
The Manila Bulletin first reported on September 15 about Arnel’s alleged violation of the Anti-VAWC Act.
The report mentioned that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court also issued a bench warrant against Arnel for his repeated failure to appear at his scheduled arraignment.
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In a separate report by usa.inquirer.net on September 16, Arnel’s US-based manager, Yul Session, calmed down.
According to Session, Cherry’s lawsuit against Arnel was merely Cherry’s revenge for the previous adultery case filed by Arnel.
Arnel said he had evidence that Cherry had a “lover,” and he only kept it public for the sake of his and Cherry’s children.
In a separate report by the Business Mirror online site yesterday, September 21, it was stated that Arnel appeared for his arraignment at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on September 17.
Arnel reportedly did not submit a plea to the court.
PEP called Arnel’s camp on September 17 and September 22 to ask for a statement regarding the singer’s ongoing VAWC case.
PEP also sent a direct message to Arnel on September 22 to ask for his comment.
PEP sent Cherry’s camp text messages on September 20, 21, and 22 to ask for a statement regarding Arnel’s camp’s statement.
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We will immediately publish any statements from both camps as soon as we receive them.
PEP remains open to any statements by the personalities mentioned in this article.
