(Updated June 25, 2021; 1:05 a.m.) Calls to disbar lawyer Larry Gadon were launched online after his alleged remarks about former President Benigno Aquino III‘s supposed health in a radio show on Thursday morning.
A Twitter user uploaded a supposed clip of the lawyer on-air on DWIZ’s “Karambola,” where the latter claimed that the former chief executive had “HIV” or human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that causes AIDS.
Gadon said that he got the alleged information from his “friend.”
The lawyer’s remarks came as his companions talked about the passing of Aquino that made headlines on Thursday morning.
Pinky Aquino-Abellada, the former president’s sister, said Aquino died of renal disease secondary to diabetes.
Aquino has also been “in and out” of the hospital for more than a year already, his family said.
READ: Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino dies of renal failure at 61
Meanwhile, the social media user who uploaded the video condemned Gadon’s remarks which could be a violation of Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act.
“You’re a f**king attorney, yet you are not familiar with RA 11166?!” the uploader wrote.
The Twitter user also shared a link to a webpage sharing the contents of the law.
Those who saw the clip likewise called out Gadon and reminded him of the law’s provision which includes confidentiality.
This prompted the hashtag “#DisbarGadon” to gain traction on the microblogging platform.
DISBAR LARRY GADON FOR VIOLATION OF RA 11166!
Under Sec. 44 of RA 11166, disclosing information regarding a person's HIV status is UNLAWFUL.
We condemn this act of privacy violation and misinformation committed by Larry Gadon, a lawyer who should know better!#DisbarGadon
— UP Babaylan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #SOGIEEqualityNow (@upbabaylan) June 24, 2021
#JailGadon #DisbarGadon Years of advocacy works in eradicating HIV stigma and discrimnation will go to waste if this Baboon will get off the hook. Time to exercise the law into full extent. #RA11166 pic.twitter.com/Vi8bzqi5L5
— Tito Joe-Odagiri #JunkTerrorBill #YESToSOGIEBill (@TitoNgKyusi) June 24, 2021
#DisbarGadon !!!!! AS A CERTIFIED HIV COUNSELOR AND A NURSE THIS IS SOOOO WRONG! KAHIT SA HOSPITAL SETTING WE DON’T HASTILY USE THE WORDS “HIV POSITIVE” KAHIT SA ENDORSEMENT! WE DON’T EVEN DISCLOSE THIS TO FAMILY MEMBERS WITHOUT CONSENT TO RELEASE INFO FROM PATIENT! OH MY GOD! https://t.co/2wNHzolaSY
— “EXO lang sakalam!”-SUMMER (@CandidSummer88) June 24, 2021
Confidentiality
Section 44, Article 6 of RA 11166 explicitly mentioned a rule on confidentiality.
“The confidentiality and privacy of any individual who has been tested for HIV, has been exposed to HIV, has HIV infection or HIV- and AIDS-related illnesses, or was treated for HIV-related illnesses shall be guaranteed,” the law reads.
“Unless otherwise provided in Section 45 of this Act, it shall be unlawful to disclose, without written consent, information that a person has AIDS, has undergone HIV-related test, has HIV infection or HIV-related illnesses, or has been exposed to HIV,” it added.
The law also states that it is “unlawful” for people to disclose “the name, picture, or any information that would reasonably identify persons living with HIV and AIDS, or any confidential HIV and AIDS information, without the prior written consent of their subjects” on media, including radio broadcasting.
Those who violate the provision can be penalized and imprisoned.
