The Hayden Kho sex scandal: A national tragedy

Sunday, 31 May 2009 00:00

Written by Jess Ang

The case has revealed the great hypocrisy in our society, especially with our politicians and the mass media.

For more than a week, there is never a newscast on ABS-TFC and GMA without mentioning the Kho-Halili sex video scandal case. After listening to these news reports, I have come up with certain observations and concerns:

1. The media continues to highlight the distribution of the sex video featuring intimate sexual relations between two consenting adults. We should not make a moral judgment that two unmarried individuals are involved in sexually intimate relations. What is repulsive is for Dr. Hayden Kho to make a secret video of their sexual encouter without the permission of Ms. Katrina Halili. I am also outraged that he has also videotaped several other women without their knowledge. I believe criminal and legal actions should be pursued aggressively.

2. I am outraged that certain individuals have distributed the sex video for public consumption. This is blatant pornography and this is done without the consent of the female partner. Those who watched the video is equally guilty as the distributors since it smacks of voyeurism. I find it hypocritical for a former Makati police officer who doused water on Dr. Kho claiming he was angry with what Dr. Kho did. Yet this same police officer watched this sex video.

3. I am disappointed with our media in engaging in sensationalism in order to sell their news. Instead of spending countless news hours on this issue, they should tackle the more critical issues such as sex trade and slavery, child prostitution and abuse of women.

4. I am disappointed with some legislators who have exploited this sex scandal. Sen. Bong Revilla seems to have a great fervor in this case. Where was he when then there were greater national issues that needed his presence in Senate hearings? Frankly, I find this current hearing on the sex scandal case a waste of public money and will only serve as forum for someone’s political prestige and cultivate further the public curiosity on the sex scandal.

5. I am concerned that certain government officials are declaring Dr. Hayden Kho persona non grata claiming their people are religious and that Dr. Kho has committted a grave immoral act. If that is the case, what action have they taken on government officials who are accused of massive graft and corruption and perpetrators of unsolved political killings? Surely murder and theft are greater sins than what Dr. Kho did. Besides, no one has the right, including the President of our country, to deprive a citizen to move freely in his country so long as he is not convicted of a crime and poses a grave danger to the safety of our society.

The Hayden Kho sex scandal case has revealed the great hypocrisy in our society, especially with our politicians and the mass media. They denounced such action yet they perpetuate the voyeuristic curiosity of the public to further benefit their selfish ends.

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