PRC: Hayden may regain medical license through marriage

MANILA, Philippines - With his upcoming wedding, controversial doctor Hayden Kho is not only gaining a wife. He could also regain his license to practice medicine.

Dr. Restituto de Ocampo, member of the Board of Medicine at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), said Kho can use his marriage to celebrity doctor Vicki Belo as “proof” when he appeals for the restoration of his medical license.

De Ocampo said Kho needs to prove that he is a changed man when he files a petition before the board.

“Kho needs to prove that he is now a moral person. His charitable work as well as his upcoming marriage with Dr. Belo can fulfill those requirements,” he said.

“The marriage can prove his faithfulness as a person and so we do not have any reason to deny him his license. The Medical Board is not out to stop him from medical practice,” De Ocampo added.

But De Ocampo said Kho can only file a petition to regain his license two years after surrendering it to the medical board.

The PRC medical board revoked the medical license of Kho in 2009 over his sex video scandal with actress Katrina Halili.

Kho’s legal counsel filed a motion for reconsideration, but the board junked it.

The PRC also affirmed the board’s decision in a ruling issued on Aug. 22.

De Ocampo, however, said the revocation of Kho’s medical license is not permanent.

But he said Kho should have immediately surrendered his medical license after the board came out with the ruling in 2009, so he could have the option to file an appeal by this time.

He said Kho also has the option to elevate the case before the Court of Appeals and even the Supreme Court.