Daiana’s husband shoots self

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Cagayan de Oro Rep. Benjo Benaldo was rushed to the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City last night with a gunshot wound in the chest in an apparent suicide attempt.

“We got word that Cong. Benaldo (drenched in blood) was seen at the south lobby of the House of Representatives being carried/rushed by men to the hospital between 7 to 8 p.m.,” according to a text message sent to reporters by the media office of the House.

The message said security guards reported the lawmaker was brought to the hospital on Commonwealth Avenue.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. rushed to the hospital to check on Benaldo’s condition.

“I think he’s still conscious and will undergo emergency surgery,” he said in a telephone interview on the way to the hospital, citing reports from his staff.

Related story: Benaldo may face charges for 'suicide' at House

Benaldo, according to reports reaching the Speaker, was still “conscious and coherent” as he was being prepared for surgery in the X-ray room. The bullet reportedly exited at his back.

The incident took place in his office on the fifth floor of the Batasan Pambansa complex’s south wing. Belmonte said the lawmaker’s staff heard a gunshot and saw him bleeding when they rushed to his room.

Belmonte said Benaldo was talking to his wife, Brazilian model Daiana Menezes.

Benaldo, whose term officially ends on Sunday, ran and lost in his bid for a second three-year term as representative of the first district of Cagayan de Oro. Benaldo is vice chairman of the House committee on energy and assistant majority leader.

Three weeks ago, the lawmaker was embroiled in a controversy with Menezes, who earlier posted disturbing pictures of injuries in her arm and made cryptic comments on violence against women.

The posts on social networking site Instagram triggered speculation that Benaldo’s action might have had something to do with the comments. The couple was married in civil rites in Las Vegas in December last year.

Last June 14, Benaldo issued as statement that they have patched up their differences and that all was well. “We fought because of love,” he said as he claimed that Daiana had forgiven him.

“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.

Last Saturday, Benaldo sent a text message to STAR entertainment editor Ricky Lo requesting the media to respect their privacy. He said several media personalities have “relentlessly lambasted and attacked Daiana.”

“I believed that some of them have been too personal and full of malicious intent to destroy our persons,” he said.

He said he could be partly to blame as due to “my lack of admission and apology on television.”