MANILA, Philippines - Strong winds and a heavy downpour yesterday caused an old tree at the Department of Justice (DOJ) compound in Manila to fall down on three vehicles parked nearby.
The tree trunk fell on a red Toyota Vios owned by State Prosecutor Xerxes Garcia, a member of the panel conducting a preliminary investigation into the criminal charges filed against cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hayden Kho by actress Katrina Halili.
Reports said the impact caused the roof of Garcia’s car to cave in and the tires to blow out.
The tree is located on the left side of the DOJ compound’s main gate along Padre Faura Street.
The tree’s branches dented a gray Suzuki Vitara owned by State Prosecutor Amor Robles and shattered the windshield of a green Mitsubishi Lancer owned by Beth Ting of the DOJ’s finance and management service.
DOJ security personnel said the tree was very old but could not identify its species. They said termites had eaten through its roots and weakened the tree.
Meanwhile, Kho appeared yesterday before the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) to seek the dismissal of immoral and unethical conduct against him.
Kho showed up with his lawyers before the members of the PRC Medical Board but failed to settle the complaint filed against him by Halili.
PRC legal division chief Pharson Mamalo said the PRC summoned Kho for a pre-trial to give both Kho and Halili a chance to settle their dispute as well limit the issues being investigated.
“A pre-trial can be an opportunity for both parties to settle the complaint but in this case it did not happen,” Mamalo said.
Mamalo said Halili did not appear before the Medical Board and just opted to send her lawyer to attend the pre-trial.
He added that both parties submitted before the board a number of documents to support their claim.
Halili earlier accused Kho of immoral and unethical conduct for allegedly uploading on the Internet a video of them having sex. She sought the revocation of Kho’s medical license.
Mamalo said the PRC would set the trial of the case during which the two parties may personally appear and present evidence or just submit an affidavit before the Board to prove their claims.
Halili filed a separate case of medical malpractice against Kho for allegedly performing liposuction on her without the necessary training and qualification to do so. – Sandy Araneta, Mayen Jaymalin