MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has suspended Dr. Hayden Kho Jr. for a year for ?conduct offensive to the profession,? his lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday.

In an interview during the launching of White Ribbon Day ? a campaign launched by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem) to prevent violence against women ? Kapunan said she and Kho learned about the group?s decision on Wednesday.

?We were called to a hearing on September 2 by the PMA ethics committee to inform us of their decision to suspend my client?s membership for one year,? she later elaborated in a text message to the Inquirer.

Kapunan added, ?My client respects the decision.?

This was echoed by Kho himself who said he would not contest PMA?s decision.

?I respect their decision ? I?m happy with whatever is given to me. I?m actually ready for anything,? he said.

Kho was with Kapunan at the launching of the White Ribbon Day campaign. He even had a white ribbon pinned on his shirt.

?This is one way of saying that I support the fight on violence against women. Attorney Kapunan has been lecturing me and talking to me about things about women and women?s rights ? I?m following her advice,? he told reporters.

The PMA started investigating Kho after actress Katrina Halili asked the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to revoke Kho?s license and ban him from practicing medicine, saying he was a disgrace to the medical profession.

This was after videos of her having sex with Kho were leaked on the Internet.

PRC has yet to decide on Halili?s complaint. Kapunan, meanwhile, said PMA has recommended that the PRC mete out the same penalty to Kho.

Doctor Santiago del Rosario, PMA committee on ethics and medical practice chairman, told the Inquirer that the group initially wanted to expel Kho as a member due to the controversy generated by the sex videos which featured him not only with Halili, but with several other women.

?By his act of remorse and atonement and his promise to go on medical missions, we decided on a one-year suspension,? Del Rosario said.

Kho?s suspension from PMA, however, does not prohibit him from practicing medicine since only PRC has the power to suspend or revoke a doctor?s license.