Arnel Pineda breaks silence on wife’s domestic abuse allegations

LAS VEGAS – International rock star Arnel Pineda, frontman of Journey, has broken his silence on his estranged wife’s allegations of domestic abuse.

Speaking through his Las Vegas-based manager, Yul Session, Pineda dismissed his wife’s accusations, saying these were meant to paint Pineda as an abusive husband and father.

In an exclusive interview with USNewsRank, Session, who has managed Pineda’s personal and career affairs for many years, described the allegations as “retaliation” after Pineda filed adultery cases against her nearly two years ago in Baguio and Quezon City.

“This is not true,” Session said. “Two years ago, Arnel filed an adultery case against [wife]. Everything she’s saying now is retaliation. Arnel has proof that she has a lover.”

According to Session, Pineda decided to take legal action after finding out about his wife’s involvement with another man.

“Arnel had investigators follow her. He even has photographic evidence of her leaving a motel with another man. Despite that, he still refrained from making these things public for the sake of their children,” Session said.

He stressed that Pineda has never physically hurt his wife.

“All I know about Arnel is that he is a very gentle person, in and out. He is incapable of being violent. What [wife] is saying about abuse is not true,” Session explained.

Others who have worked closely with Pineda shared similar sentiments.

“I cannot imagine Arnel lifting a finger to hurt his wife,” said veteran concert promoter Vic Perez, who has worked with him several times.

“He is one of the most gentle souls I’ve met in the industry. His demeanor is the exact opposite of what [wife} is claiming. It’s sad she would make up these stories to cover up her extramarital affairs and to take advantage of Arnel financially. That’s just foul and unacceptable.”

Despite their differences, Session said Pineda continues to provide for her financially.

“[Wife] even collects rental income from Arnel’s properties. She receives at least 500,000 pesos every month, he said. “On top of that, Arnel continues to shoulder the expenses of their children from school to daily needs. He is a good father and provider.”

Session said that, Pineda has treated his wife’s children from her previous marriage as his own, paying for their schooling, from elementary to college, and for their trips abroad.

He added that the couple’s children have confided their unhappiness with the ongoing conflict.

According to him, the children have even asked their mother to stop her public accusations, with one of the older children reportedly saying, “He’s still our father.”

The wife’s camp has previously claimed that Pineda failed to attend scheduled court hearings, resulting in the issuance of a bench warrant. But according to Pineda’s lawyers, this claim is misleading.

In a statement, his legal team said that bench warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court was “procedural in nature,” and has already been addressed. “At the time in question, Mr. Pineda was medically advised to rest due to illness brought on by the stress of personal matters. The allegation that he intentionally ignored or refused to attend court is unfounded,” his lawyers from the Chavez, Miranda and Aseoche law offices said.

Session further claimed the wife has been pressuring Pineda by resorting to public accusations and media attention, and that the VAWC case was “financially-motivated.”

“She wants to make it a media spectacle. But Arnel doesn’t want that. He has always told me to keep it out of the public because it affects the children,” he said.

The Journey vocalist himself has not spoken publicly about the issue, choosing to let his lawyers and manager respond.

“Arnel is very reluctant to talk about this. He told me, ‘Yul, you say it all. Speak about what you know and have seen.’ He wants this settled privately and properly, not in the public eye,” Session said.

He emphasized that despite the strain, Pineda has maintained his responsibilities at home.

“Arnel is a blessing to his family. He never abandoned his role as a father and provider. He gives more than enough. Despite all the lies being said against him, he remains devoted to his children,” Arnel’s manager said.

Session expressed disappointment that the family’s private matters have become public, saying that the focus should be on the children’s welfare.

“What’s saddest about all this is the kids. They are seeing things on social media and it’s not right. No matter what, they are the ones most affected by their mother’s actions,” he said.

The legal battle between the wife, who accuses Pineda of domestic violence, and Pineda, who accuses his wife of adultery, is still being heard in Philippine courts.

Pineda’s camp maintains that the domestic violence allegations were “fabricated” to divert attention from his adultery complaint and to increase pressure to meet his wife’s financial demands.

“Everything will come out in court,” Perez said.

“For now, the truth is Arnel has always been a gentle father and husband. He has never harmed [wife]. She is the one who committed adultery, and she is the one turning things around to make him the villain.”

In the meantime, Pineda remains in Manila caring for his children. His team insists he has chosen silence to protect them, though they acknowledge the toll it has taken.

“Arnel never asked for this to play out in public,” Session said.

“But he has proof, and if needed, he will use it. For now, he only wants peace and the chance to continue providing for his family without being bombarded by lies.”

“At the end of the day, Arnel’s legacy is not just his music but the way he treats people with kindness and respect,” Perez added.

“To see his name dragged through these false accusations is heartbreaking, because those who truly know him understand he would never do what [wife] is claiming.”

INQUIRER Entertainment has asked the camp of Pineda’s wife to comment on the allegations, but it has yet to reply, although she has previously denied having taken a lover during their marriage, as stated in her VAWC complaint before the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor. /edv

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