Lawmaker, Daiana kiss and make up

MANILA, Philippines - “We fought because of love.”

This was the explanation given by outgoing Cagayan de Oro Rep. Benjo Benaldo on Thursday night regarding reports that his partner, Brazilian model Daiana Menezes, was a victim of domestic violence.

Menezes earlier posted comments on social networking sites  Twitter and Instagram, railing against violence aginst women, and included a picture of her arm with bruises and scratches, which fueled speculation and alarmed her fans.

She, however, did not elaborate on her apparent injuries and what caused them. The posts have been deleted.

“Today, Daiana and I have settled our differences. We are together out of love. We fought because of love. She has forgiven me because she truly loves me. I am truly blessed,” Benaldo said in a statement sent to television networks.

The lawmaker also sought understanding for Menezes’ cryptic online statements and claimed that he was forgiven by the popular model-actress.

He also said he and Menezes got married in civil ceremonies in Las Vegas. Reports said the wedding took place last December.

“Daiana and I got married civilly in Las Vegas. Since then, we have been preparing for the big religious ceremony as we previously announced,” Benaldo said.

“Like any couple, Daiana and I encounter problems. We try to resolve them privately. I have apologized to her and she has accepted. On behalf of Daiana’s actions on social media, we seek the understanding of everyone regarding her posts on her advocacies seeking help and support,” he said

DSWD awaiting Menezes’ statement

Despite Benaldo’s statement that he has patched up his differences with Menezes, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said it will continue to monitor the Twitter account of the Brazilian model.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said considering that Menezes had directly sought the help of the DSWD and herself through Twitter, they will await a statement from the model about her real condition.

Soliman had earlier expressed the DSWD’s determination to help Menezes.

“We’re ready to help her but we don’t know where she is,” Soliman told The STAR.  â€“ With Rainier Allan Ronda