Ted Failon, one of Manila's most prominent broadcasters and a vocal government critic, was arrested yesterday after his wife was found shot in the head.
Trinidad Etong, 45, was taken to hospital by Failon, whose real name is Mario Teodoro Failon Etong. Etong was declared dead last night.
The incident on Wednesday occurred just days after deposed president Joseph Estrada named the popular ABS-CBN news anchor as an opposition candidate in the Senate race next year.
Failon, 47, said his wife killed herself over family finances. 'I talked to her calmly [and told her] whatever that problem is, I can earn it back. Just be honest,' Failon said.
He said that on Wednesday he had phoned her from work to remind her of a meeting they had arranged to talk things over. 'She had not yet left [the house] and it was already 10.30am. She said, 'I don't have the face to show myself to you'.'
Failon rushed home and found the door to their daughter Kaye's bedroom locked. After getting the key from a maid, he found his wife in the bathroom adjoining the bedroom. 'When I opened the [bathroom] door, there she was. She was lying in a pool of blood,' he said.
Police Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said yesterday that although Failon tested negative for powder burns, he remained a suspect in the case.