MANILA (5th UPDATE) -- Cagayan de Oro Representative Benjamin "Benjo" Benaldo, husband of Brazilian model-actress Daiana Menezes, was rushed to the hospital Thursday night due to a gunshot wound.
Benaldo was brought to the New Era General Hospital in Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City from the House of Representatives between 7 p.m and 8 p.m., after he was found bloodied and wounded on his chest from a gunshot.
Speaking with radio dzMM, House Speaker Rep. Sonny Belmonte said Benaldo was alone inside his office when the gunshot was heard.
Benaldo was found by his staff sitting, with a 9-millimeter pistol on his table.
Benaldo, a first-term congressman, ran for reelection in the May 13 elections but lost to Liberal Party bet Rolando Uy.
According to Belmonte, Benaldo’s wife said the congressman became “unhappy” after his failed bid.
“After his loss in the recent elections, he is sometimes unhappy and so forth,” said Belmonte.
The House Speaker said he does not want to speculate on the incident.
“Whether it was accidental or not accidental I cannot venture that point but there is no question na siya lang ‘yung nandoon sa kwarto,” he told dzMM.
He added that Quezon City Police District is now investigating.
Stable condition
The outgoing congressman, according to Belmonte, is in stable condition and in good spirits.
“He seems to be OK. Nakikipag-usap siya sa amin eh, he even gave us a thumbs-up,” said Belmonte.
Benaldo sustained a gunshot wound in the chest but Belmonte said the wound is “through and through.”
As of around 9:30 p.m., Benaldo was able to talk to family members, including his wife, who visited him at the hospital.
Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo also went to the hospital to check on his colleague, and took photos of Benaldo in an ambulance.
“When I asked him what he wants to tell our colleagues who are all asking about him, he gives me the thumbs up,” Quimbo posted on Instagram.
Benaldo was transferred to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City late Thursday night.
In recent weeks, Benaldo was the subject of headlines for his relationship with his wife, who had aroused speculations that she was a victim of domestic violence.
Benaldo admitted that they were having problems as a couple, but said he has asked for forgiveness from Menezes.
The couple appeared on “The Buzz” on June 16 and addressed the issue, maintaining that no incident of domestic violence took place.
Menezes then appeared on TV on June 18 and bared her hurt over her husband's behavior during the interview, saying her husband made her look "stupid."
"Sana ma-realize niya na ginawa ko 'yan para sa 'yo. Pwede mo naman i-air out, eh. Wala namang mali na magsabi na nagkamali ako, nagkamali lang tayong dalawa, pero huwag naman dumating sa punto na ako 'yung mukhang stupid, tanga o napakadaling mag-forgive,” she said.
The couple married in a civil wedding in Las Vegas in December last year. -- Reports from Jon Ibañez and Robert Mano, dzMM; RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
