MANILA -- The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has decided to punish Dr. Hayden Kho over his role in his sex video scandal that involved at least two celebrities, including sexy actress Katrina Halili.

The PMA ethics committee said Kho will be held liable for recording the sex videos aside from engaging in pre-marital sex, an act deemed dishonorable by the medical group.

The six-man committee reached its decision through secret balloting Thursday night.

“Mahigpit ang discussion at labanan. Kaya para walang mapepressure at talagang independent voting, ang aming ginawa ay secret balloting,” said one committee member.

The decision, however, is not yet final as it has yet to be confirmed by the PMA Board of Directors.

The committee will also still have to decide whether Kho will be suspended or removed from the PMA roster.

The PMA Board or Directors is expected to discuss the issue on August 9.

Halili dismayed

The camp of Halili, meanwhile, is dismayed by the PMA’s decision to issue a ruling over the sex scandal.

They said that the PMA should first wait for the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to decide on the issue.

"Whatever recommendation, pabor or against kay Hayden will be interpreted by people na makakaapekto sa nangyayari. Let’s say, sabihin nilang tanggalin si Hayden, gagamitin ng kampo namin. ‘Pag sinabing ‘wag tanggalin gagamitin naman ng kampo nila,” explained Halili’s counsel Atty. Raymund Palad.

His client is more interested in having Kho’s medical license removed permanently than having him kicked out of PMA’s roster.
 
Palad said Friday’s PRC hearing on the sex scandal did not push through because of the unavailability of Kho’s lawyers.

“One month pa agreed ‘yung date. Suddenly, nakareceive kami ng motion to cancel. Malaki ang law office [nila], they could send one representative. I could see no valid reason, this is a dilatory tactic,” he said.

The next hearing is moved to July 31. Palad said that this, too, might not push through because Halili has an out of town engagement on that date. -- With a report from Anthony Taberna, ABS-CBN News