Lawmaker warns agencies vs. blacklisting persons with AIDS

A LAWMAKER has warned government agencies against blacklisting or committing any highly discriminatory acts against persons who are infected with or suspected to be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS.

LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty, member of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, underscored that the blacklisting of any person due to his or her actual or perceived condition as an AIDS sufferer is one of the discriminatory acts considered illegal and punishable by law.

Ty cited Section 37 of the AIDS Prevention and Control Act, which states that “The freedom of abode, lodging and travel of a person with HIV shall not be abridged. No person shall be quarantined, put in isolation, or refused lawful entry or deported from Philippine territory on account of his/her actual, perceived or suspected HIV status.”

“The penalties for “discriminatory acts” against persons with HIV status is up to four years in prison, plus a fine of P10,000,” Ty said.

Ty’s warning came shortly after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) temporarily barred a Filipino-Australian theater artist from re-entering the country, on suspicion he is suffering from AIDS.

Marcelino Cavestany complained that upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 6, he was shown a blacklist order, which specified that he should not be allowed entry “as he will spread HIV.

Ty authored a House resolution pushing for a review of the 1998 AIDS Prevention and Control Law to find new ways to reinforce the fight against the highly infectious disease, and improve the living conditions of sufferers.

The lawmaker from Isabela has also been pushing for increased public funding for preventive education, and the conduct of community outreach programs to encourage voluntary and discreet HIV testing. –LLANESCA T. PANTI, Manila Times

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