Boholanos appeared divided in their judgment calls involving the sex video scandal where a sexy actress and a cosmetic doctor were caught on camera in "uncompromising positions". With pirated CDs selling like hotcakes everywhere, the sex flick between actress Katrina Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho were the subject of movie talk shows, prime time newscasts, and a Senate investigation. Not to be outsmarted, this city's public affairs radio programs, also discussed at length even the minutest details of the sex scandal, drawing calls from listeners from different persuasions. The meat of the phoned-in calls ranged from utter condemnation of the two sex partners as plain exhibitionists to pity on the part of Halili who was pictured more of a victim rather than a willing participant to a sexual act. Many others indicated that the sexual behavior of the two was a manifestation of two people in love and therefore the act was part of what consenting adults are supposed to be doing. But what drove the goat of some callers was the resolution that won passage in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Authored by Board Member Aster Apalisok-Piollo, the resolution made Bohol off limits to Dr. Kho and declared him "persona non grata". "We hereby manifest that we detest Mr. Kho's presence and he is not welcome to set foot on Bohol's soil," declared the resolution passed on mass motion.
In its session Tuesday presided by Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, the SP also unanimously passed a resolution requesting both Houses of Congress to expedite the enactment of laws governing the use of the internet and related utilization of modern technology "in pursuit of objectives detrimental to our people's welfare particularly women and children". Both measures were sponsored by board member Apalisok-Piollo, chair of the committee on women and family affairs. Reacting to Piollo's resolution, some callers called the resolution overacting. They said the SP, apparently for lack of nothing to do, came up with this stupid resolution noting that more concerns of compelling importance should occupy most of its time rather than delving in such unproductive measure.
But V-Gov. Herrera came into the rescue adding that the resolution was intended to deliver a chilling message to people like Dr. Kho who tried to debase the dignity of women by filming his sexual escapades with different girlfriends. The SP said the most scandalous news that has recently hit the country involved Kho, a medical practitioner "who has reportedly admitted to having videotaped his carnal shenanigans with several women of different ages without their consent and knowledge." According to the resolution, the "malevolent acts" committed by Kho are "highly unethical and dishonorable, to say the least and more bestial than human, obviously unbecoming of a supposed professional, and makes a mockery of the provisions of pertinent laws governing the medical profession and the Code of Ethics." It noted that the President herself said she was appalled at the video as a woman and a mother and expressed sympathy and compassion for the women-victims. "We Boholanos and Filipinos, known for our religious fervor and values, see this as an affront to our collective spirituality and culture, for our province in particular, and our country in general," the resolution stressed.
The board members said the resolution is intended "to express our utmost condemnation" towards the behavior of Kho. Herrera later remarked that the measure was passed in anticipation of a possible Bohol hiatus for Kho. "We have heard unconfirmed reports that he would be coming here to cool off," the vice governor said. Herrera said the resolution banning Kho is also a precautionary measure "because he might to do another episode here". According to SP secretary Bonifacio Quirog, being a mere resolution, the measure does not provide any punitive sanction either for Kho or his local host. "It is largely an expression of sentiment declaring that he is not welcome here," Quirog explained.
He said that in older times, being declared “persona non grata” would enough to guarantee ostracism and rejection. Bohol is one of the emerging tourism destinations in the country. The Bohol Tourism Office recorded 567,174 arrivals last year, a slight increase compared to 5,31,811 tourist arrivals in 2007. Despite opening its doors to foreign and domestic tourists, Bohol has managed to remain conservative. Roughly 80 percent of the population are Roman Catholics in a province where there are at least 10 centuries-old churches. While there are reports of prostitution, they are mostly clandestine activities. There are very few videoke bars and virtually no girlie shows. Instead, the main tourism attractions are family-oriented like the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc river cruise, old churches, white beaches, dive spots and caves.
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