Dear PAO,

I have been working as a call center agent for almost three years now. Last week, one of the human resource officers called me to their office and told me that I may be terminated soon because it was confirmed that my boyfriend who is also my officemate is a confirmed HIV carrier. According to them, I am also suspected of being an HIV carrier and that they are thinking of terminating my employment soon. I want to know if this is legal and if there is any prohibition under the law against termination of employment due to suspicion of being an HIV carrier. We are hoping to hear your wisdom on this matter.

Rexy

Dear Rexy,

Republic Act (RA) 11166, known as the 'Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act' is the applicable law in your situation. This law was enacted to strengthen the Philippine comprehensive policies on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and to repeal RA 8504, known as the 'Philippine Aids and Prevention and Control Act of 1998'.