Open Letter to Abe Licudan

(Ignorance of the Law Excuses no one from compliance)

Image courtesy of www.hivsymptomsinmen.info

Source: www.hivsymptomsinmen.info

Mr. Abelardo O. Licudan Jr (aka Abe Licudan),

Greetings!

I am one of the persons you have insulted in your comment “MADAMING AIDA DYAN HAHAHA”, this being said authorizes me to write an open letter for you and the rest of people like you.

I have learned from your twitter account @abenextdoor that attached after your name is two letters, MD. Hence, I would like to call your attention by reminding you of the General Principles of your Code of Ethics under Sec. 1 Art. 1 (Philippine Medical Association), which states “The primary objective of the practice of medicine is service to mankind irrespective of race, age, disease, disability, gender, sexual orientation, social standing, creed or political affiliation. xxx”

There are several more provisions of your Code of Ethics that you have violated through your tasteless remark. It is beyond the bounds of possibility that a young professional like you would forget the most basic duty being demanded to you by your profession.

I am not a linguist, but I am in a profession that demands a lot of readings and construction of words. In consideration of the language you have used, it is apparent that you were warning the other guy for people infected with HIV and AIDS roaming around JP Morgan Chase & Co. I don’t know how to properly address you, I cannot stomach calling you, your title, for your negligence to consider the foremost principle you have to be always reminded that is – not to discriminate.

Basing from your act of subconsciously leaving such remark, you are not capable to uphold the demands of the profession you have chosen. Again, I’m calling your attention to Sec. 2 Art. 1 of your Code of Ethics, which states, “A physician assumes the obligation of maintaining the honorable tradition that confers the well-deserved title of a friend of mankind.” From the foregoing facts, you failed to adhere to your call of duty to be a friend of mankind. Can you keep up with other Doctors who knows how to treat people like me infected with HIV better than the way you have treated us with your one liner comment?

I am not in the medical profession, but I know that my condition is a chronic disease; hence, it is a serious matter. It is an issue being addressed by the United Nations, World Health Organization, and our Government per se. If you are not aware as you’ve been apparently busy with other matters, that you even failed to review your Code of Ethics, Philippines today has one of the most alarming numbers in the increase as to HIV infection as per data collected by the Department of Health for the Month of May.These facts being said, I don’t know where to place your ignorance for a very delicate matter that you choose to laugh at considering you are in the medical profession.

MADAMING AIDA DYAN HAHAHA 

(Indirect Translation: There are a lot of people with AIDS out there.)

Image courtesy of www.hivsymptomsinmen.info

Now, let me call your attention with our laws. Your comment was made under someone else’s profile who mentioned that he was in JP Morgan Chase & Co., then you said “MADAMING AIDA DYAN HAHAHA.” Even a grade one student would understand that what you were saying was this “JP MORGAN CHASE & CO., is a den for people with AIDS.” I don’t know where you got your data on this, but mind you, this comment under our law is tantamount to a criminal liability under Art 360 of the Revised Penal Code, it states that “Any person who shall PUBLISH, EXHIBIT, or cause the PUBLICATION or EXHIBITION of ANY DEFAMATION IN WRITING or by similar mean shall be responsible for the same. xxx”

There four essential elements of libel, namely: (1) The imputation must be defamatory; (2) The imputation must be made publicly; (3) The imputation must be malicious; and (4) The person defamed must be identifiable. All of which are present in the libelous remark you made in social networking.

If truth be told, that it was a joke, there can be no better title to address you than this A DENSE MINDED MEDICAL GRADUATE, until then, you’re just that. I don’t know you personally but basing from your ostentatious sense of humor I doubt if you deserve to be called a Doctor. You may earn your license or you may have it by now, but that does not align you from the likes of the Doctors who have been working hard for people like me and who have protected, sheltered, and defended us from people like you. 

I cannot fathom the idea of entrusting our lives much more our society’s health welfare to you and the rest of your breed. But more than my fright of entrusting my life to you is the fear that your ignorance can no longer be cured because despite and regardless the years you have spent in the academe about our condition you neglected to recognize the intricacy of our condition. You have failed to understand and empathize to the labyrinthine disease that you merely referred as “AIDA.”

If in any way, you’ll escape through the legal causes of your actions, I bet that you won’t escape the horror of that day you made this single mistake of addressing our condition in an inappropriate manner.

Abe, I am an HIV-Positive, there is no cure for my disease, but I humbly ask you to cure your ignorance through proper education. Transcend more than what is written. People living with HIV are humans just like you, we have emotions as well, we get hurt, vulnerable, and people die due to complications brought by our condition. I am writing this open letter on behalf of those who have died due to aids related diseases.

I hope that one day, you’ll cross the bridge and choose to be enlightened rather than being left inside the box of ignorance that kills people like me.

Respectfully calling your attention to #EndStigma

Posit Bo,

Five-Month Old HIV-Positive

Image courtesy of www.hivsymptomsinmen.info