How to Check for an Outstanding Warrant of Arrest in the Philippines

A practitioner‑oriented guide to the legal framework, official sources, and practical steps (updated to April 2025)

Important: The discussion below is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised legal advice. Warrants involve liberty interests protected by the Constitution; always consult a qualified Philippine lawyer before acting.

1. Legal Foundations

Authority	Key Points
1987 Constitution, Art. III § 2	No warrant shall issue except upon probable cause determined personally by a judge after examination under oath or affirmation.
Rules of Criminal Procedure – Rule 112 § 6 (Determination of Probable Cause) – Rule 113 § 1 & § 7 (Warrant requirements; validity)	• Judge issues the warrant. • It is valid nation‑wide and remains in force until served or lifted.
Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)	Court records and law‑enforcement databases that contain warrants are sensitive personal information; access is strictly regulated.
A.M. No. 12‑11‑2‑SC (eCourts)	Authorises electronic docket systems and the still‑piloting Judiciary Warrant of Arrest Query (JWAQ) accessible only to courts and law‑enforcement agencies.

2. Types of Warrants Encountered

Regular Warrant of Arrest – issued after an Information is filed and the judge finds probable cause.
Bench Warrant – issued to compel appearance, usually after failing to appear on a subpoena or post‑arraignment order.
Alias Warrant – re‑issued after a previous warrant is returned unserved.
Search + Arrest Warrant (“John Doe” warrant) – may include unnamed persons; more common in drug raids and cybercrime enforcement.
Red Notice / International Arrest Request – issued through Interpol; serves as basis for local provisional arrest under the Extradition Law (PD 1069).

3. Where—and How—You Can Verify

Below are the avenues ordinarily available. There is no single public‑facing “online master list.” Any request must respect confidentiality and personal‑data rules.

3.1 Court of Origin (Clerk of Court)

What you can get	Procedure	Caveats
• Certified True Copy of the warrant • Certificate of Pending Case	1. Identify the criminal case number (if known). 2. File a written request citing Sec. 4, Rule 7 of the 2019 Amendments. 3. Pay certification fees (≈ ₱50/page under A.M. 04‑2‑04‑SC).	• Courts may deny requests from private persons lacking “legitimate interest.” • Unserved warrants are often kept under seal at the judge’s discretion.

3.2 Philippine National Police

Unit	How it works	Access level
Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) – Warrant and Subpoena Section	Maintains a central Warrant Information System (WIS) synced with courts via the JWAQ pilot.	Restricted. A private individual must channel queries through counsel or by presenting a letter‑request with ID and justification.
Local Police Station – Warrant Section	Each station has a Warrant Server Team holding print‑outs or digital tablets.	Walk‑in inquiries are generally refused unless you are the subject or counsel.

3.3 National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance

NBI “HIT” – When your name matches a person with a pending warrant or criminal case, the clearance status becomes HIT and verification is required.
Next Steps – You will be directed to an NBI Quality Control lawyer. If the HIT truly pertains to you, you may be asked to appear before the issuing court or post bail immediately.

3.4 Bureau of Immigration

Check for Look‑out Bulletins or Hold‑Departure Orders (HDOs) which often correlate with outstanding warrants for serious offenses.
Requests are made through the BI Intelligence Division, but results are generally furnished only to the person named, his authorized representative, or a court.

3.5 Lawyer‑to‑Lawyer / Prosecutor‑to‑Court Coordination

Counsel may write directly to the Office of the Clerk of Court or the public prosecutor citing Rule 135 § 2 (control of court processes) to verify if a warrant exists and to request certified copies for purposes of filing a motion to recall or quash.

4. Practical Scenarios and Step‑by‑Step Guides

4.1 “I’m not sure whether I have a pending warrant.”

Secure an NBI Clearance.
If HIT appears, bring a government ID, cedula, and (if possible) the docket number of any past case when you appear at NBI QC Main.
Obtain counsel. You will need a lawyer to negotiate surrender and bail.

4.2 “I already know which court issued it.”

Voluntary Appearance at the branch’s Office of the Clerk of Court.
Post Bail (if the offense is bailable):
- Prepare Bail Bond (cash, surety, or property) following Rule 114.
- Pay legal fees (A.M. 04‑2‑04‑SC).
Motion to Recall/Lift Warrant – Your lawyer files simultaneously, citing the bail already posted and your voluntary submission.

4.3 For Employers / HR Screening

Authorized Request under legitimate interest (Data Privacy Act IRR § 34).
Require the applicant to execute a data‑processing consent and to furnish his own NBI clearance.
Direct access to PNP or court databases without consent is prohibited and may incur liability.

5. Rights of the Person Named in a Warrant

To be informed of the cause of arrest and to see the warrant (Constitution Art. III § 14).
To remain silent and to counsel (Miranda rights).
To post bail except for offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua and when evidence of guilt is strong (Const. Art. III § 13).
To challenge the warrant via:
- Motion to Quash Information/Warrant (Rule 117).
- Petition for Certiorari (Rule 65) on grounds of lack of probable cause.
- Habeas Corpus if arrest is illegal or warrant has been nullified.

6. Common Pitfalls and Practical Tips

Pitfall	Avoid by…
Relying on unofficial “online lists.”	Warrants are not posted publicly in the Philippines.
Assuming that paying bail alone recalls the warrant.	You must still secure a Recall Order signed by the judge.
Traveling abroad on a pending warrant.	Immigration will off‑load you; you may be detained if an HDO exists.
Ignoring a bench warrant for missed hearings in a minor case.	These also flag in NBI/PNP databases and can lead to surprise arrest.

7. Emerging Digital Systems (2025‑status)

Judiciary Warrant of Arrest Query (JWAQ) – Piloted in Quezon City, Davao, Cebu; expansion expected under Phase 3 of the eCourts Program.
PNP e‑Subpoena and e‑Warrant Tablets – Front‑line servers now receive real‑time updates; helps reduce “ghost” or long‑expired warrants.
Unified Criminal Case Management System (UCCMS) – Inter‑agency platform integrating PNP‑NBI‑BI‑BJMP; public access not yet planned.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Short Answer
Does a warrant expire?	No. It stays valid nationwide until served, voluntarily recalled, or quashed by the issuing court.
Can someone else check for me?	Yes, if armed with a Special Power of Attorney and valid ID; courts often still require your personal appearance for sensitive data.
Can I clear my name online?	Not yet. Digital verification remains closed‑circuit among justice agencies.
What if the warrant is for a bailable offense but bail is excessive?	File a Motion to Reduce Bail citing Art. III § 13 (right to reasonable bail).

9. Checklist for Lawyers Advising a Client with a Possible Warrant

Conflict Check and secure SPA or retainer.
Name‑search in JWAQ (if pilot court) or coordinate with court clerk.
Request warrant copy and case records.
Prepare bail documents and Surety approval ahead of surrender.
Draft Motion to Recall Warrant with compliance under Rule 113 § 4.
Advise voluntary surrender to gain mitigation benefits (Art. 13 § 7, RPC).
Set arraignment/reset once warrant is lifted to avoid re‑issuance.

10. Conclusion

Because Philippine warrants are court‑issued and privacy‑protected, there is no public “one‑click” verification tool comparable to those in some jurisdictions. Effective checking hinges on:

knowing the court of origin or case number,
utilising official channels (court, PNP, NBI), and
acting through counsel to protect constitutional rights.

If you even suspect an outstanding warrant, the safest route is immediate consultation with counsel, voluntary submission to the issuing court, and prompt arrangement of bail or other remedies.

Prepared by: [Your Name], J.D., Member, Philippine Bar (Roll of Attorneys No. XXXXX)
Date: 21 April 2025