Hayden suspended for one year

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has suspended controversial cosmetic surgeon Hayden Kho from medical practice for one year, his lawyer said yesterday.

Lorna Kapunan, however, said the suspension from medical practice imposed by the PMA on her client refers only to his membership.

Kapunan said the PMA has also recommended before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to suspend Kho for one year.

“The PMA imposed the one-year suspension against Hayden for conduct offensive to the profession,” Kapunan told reporters during the launching of the “White Ribbon” campaign of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Philippine National Committee.

Kho, who also attended the ceremony, said he had already expected the suspension order from the PMA.

“I expected it (suspension). I am here to express my support to the campaign against violence towards women,” Kho said.

Kho was among those accused by actress-model Katrina Halili for uploading on the Internet the racy videos of their sexual encounters.

Kho admitted filming the sexual encounter but denied uploading the videos, accusing mutual friends of allegedly making copies from his laptop computer.

Halili had charged Kho with psychological violence under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

Kho also voluntarily suspended his medical practice after Halili filed a separate complaint against him before the PRC.

Kapunan had said Kho had admitted his guilt in making the sex videos but denied uploading them on the Internet for public viewing and distribution.

She said Kho made the sex videos apparently while under the influence of drugs, before he started undergoing counseling last December.

Kho was already recovering from his drug addiction when the scandal broke out, Kapunan had pointed out. – Jose Rodel Clapano