FORMER celebrity doctor Hayden Kho Jr. posted bail for his temporary liberty after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court found probable cause in connection with the criminal charges filed against him by actress Katrina Halili.
Kho, accompanied by his counsel, Lorna Kapunan, posted the P20,000 bail Wednesday before the Pasig City RTC Branch 159, which is hearing the case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.
The justice department filed the criminal charges against Kho, a former cosmetic surgeon, in connection with his sex video with Halili that was uploaded on the Internet.
A team of DOJ probers led by Senior State Prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos, head of the Task Force on Women and Children Protection, found that Kho’s acts of recording his sexual exploits with Halili and other women without their consent “bespoke of his betrayal of their trust and lack of respect for women.”
Citing lack of evidence, the panel dismissed the complaints against Dr. Vicky Belo, Kho’s now estranged girlfriend, and alleged co-conspirators Erick Johnston Chua, Mark Herbert Rosario and Princess Marie Velasco.
Meanwhile, Halili’s counsel Raymund Palad said they were glad that Kho has finally posted bail, adding that they are looking forward for the arraignment set on February 23.
“If he is really sorry for what he did he should plead ‘guilty as charged’ to save the time of the Court as well as the parties. We will prosecute the criminal case until Hayden is sent to jail for his crime,” Palad said.
Palad further said that by posting bail, Kho has “voluntarily surrendered” himself to the authorities before a warrant of arrest could be issued by the court.
“Natunugan na nang kampo ni Hayden mag-iisyu na ng warrant of arrest ang Court kaya agad nag-appear siya to post bail. Voluntary surrender ang tawag dun," he said, adding that the court no longer needs to mail the warrant to the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The court denied the motion to determine probable cause and ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against Kho.
Kho's medical license was revoked on November 20, 2009 by the Professional Regulatory Commission due to the controversy brought by the sex scandals. (AH/Sunnex)