Hayden Kho says DOJ 'pressured' to charge him
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/23/2009 11:15 PM
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MANILA - Embattled celebrity doctor Hayden Kho, who figured in a sex scandal months ago, claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) succumbed to public pressure when they charged him with violating women's rights.
Kho was charged for secretly filming his sex acts with various women, including actresses Katrina Halili, Maricar Reyes, and Mariana Del Rio, among others.
Halili filed a complaint against Kho for violating Republic Act 9262 or the "Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act." Halili filed the complaint on 2 counts: psychological violence and economic violence.
Kho's camp alleged that the DOJ gave way to pressure from the media and Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., who actively lobbied for Halili's cause, when they ruled on the case.
Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Kho's legal counsel, argued that a resolution by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearly stated that it was the release of the sex tapes, and not Kho, that caused emotional and economic stress to the victims.
"Kita mo naman sa resolution na sinabi ni Katrina [that] she [felt violated] pero wala sa resolution na si Hayden caused it. Consenting adults sila at 'yong pagkakarelease ng video isn't being blamed on Hayden," she said.
Kapunan added that the case was being made into a "media spectacle." Both the NBI and DOJ are investigating how the sex tapes were leaked.
Halili and her legal counsels, meanwhile, are reportedly working on procuring an arrest order against Kho from the Pasig RTC before the weekend.
Belo feels sorry for Kho
The DOJ also dropped complaints filed against cosmetic surgery magnate Vicki Belo, Kho's former lover; Erick Johnston Chua; Princess Marie Velasco and Dr. Mark Herbert "Bistek" Rosario - all of whom were accused of being "accessories" to concealing the sex tapes.
DOJ prosecutors said there was a lack of evidence presented to support the allegation.
Belo refused to face cameras, but her lawyer Atty. Adel Tamano said she had mixed feelings over the recent rulings on the Kho-Halili sex video scandal. She reportedly feels bad for her ex-boyfriend Kho, whom she still considers a dear friend.
However, she feels vindicated that allegations made against her were dropped.
Tamano said Belo wants the Kho-Halili issue to die down by refusing to speak about it further. "Catch-22 kasi iyan para kay Belo eh. Pag nagsalita siya, sasabihin either masyado siyang masaya o baka naman guilty siya. Kaya buti pa daw, quiet na lang muna," Tamano said.
Belo also shrugged off reports that Halili will re-file complaints against her and Chua, since these were found to be without basis.
Kapunan said that Kho is similarly trying to stay off the spotlight. She said the former cosmetic surgeon, who was suspended for a year by the Philippine Medical Association, is focusing on counselling and earning a degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Report by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News.
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