REVILLA DISAPPOINTED OVER PMA DECISION, Laughs off Kho gimmick

Senator Bong Revilla today expressed his dismay and disappointment over the decision of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to merely suspend Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. for one year. The decision came after the PMA found Kho responsible for making over 40 videos of his sexual encounters with various women without his partners' consent, some of whom were his patients.

Obviously disgusted, Revilla now wants the PMA to explain its reasons for allowing Kho to get away with his perverted acts with less than a slap on the wrist. "A one year suspension means that Hayden was penalized only 9 days suspension for every video he took. This is absurd. What the PMA is saying is that a doctor can do such a foul act and get away with it. They're saying what Kho did is okay," Revilla said.

The senator also cautioned the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), where a complaint to revoke Kho's license to practice medicine is pending, to decide on the petition properly. Unlike the PMA, the PRC is the government instrumentality that is tasked to ensure the integrity of the practice of all professionals in the country, and as such, Revilla said, must put public interest ahead of everything else. "It will be very unacceptable if the PRC does not revoke Kho's license. If they do, it is like saying that it is regular in the practice of medicine in the country, for a doctor to commit such perverse acts on their patients."

"I am already frustrated over the slow progress of the case pending in the PRC. Then, as if to condition the minds of the public, this decision of the PMA comes out. If the PRC lets Kho get away with this, I believe they will not be living up to their mandate. If that is the case, I will ask that their budget be reduced to one peso next year. Hindi na sila dapat pondohan kung hindi naman nila gagawin ang trabaho nila," the senator warned.

Revilla also laughed at Kho's publicity stunt in showing up at the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) launch of its Anti-Violence against women program in the Philippines . He said that obviously, his lawyer, Atty. Lorna Capunan, brought him to the program to rebuild Kho's beyond repair image. Women's Rights group Gabriela has earlier condemned Kho's gimmick.

"Gusto nilang ayusin ang image ni Hayden, pero wala namang credibility. Sinabi niya bagong Hayden Kho na siya, so in effect, inamin na niya na nag-commit siya ng violence against women dati. Kung gusto niyang paniwalaan siya, magpakalalaki siya at mag-plead guilty sa kaso niya sa DOJ. That's the only way to show his sincerity and repentance. If he does that, even I may praise him," the senator ended.