In the controversial statement, Pacquiao said even animals do not engage in same-sex (sexual) relationships. But he later clarified that his stand on the issue is based on what he read in the Bible.
“It’s only common sense. Would you see any species of animals who engage in male to male, female to female [sexual] relations? Animals, then, are better than humans [in that sense]. They know how to distinguish males from females,” said Pacquiao in an analogy.
“If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then they are worse than animals,” he added.
Pacquiao’s statement drew widespread anger from the LGBT community, prompting its leaders to call on their members to junk Pacquiao in the May 9 senatorial elections.
Pacquiao is seeking a seat in the Philippines senate in the upcoming national elections. The Filipino boxing star is an incumbent congressman representing the lone district of Sarangani in Southern Philippines.
Pacquiao has since apologized saying it is what the Bible says. He also clarified that he is not condemning the members of the LGBT community.
“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT,” said Pacquiao in his Facebook post.
“I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you,” he added.
To prove his sincerity about his love and affection for the members of the LGBT community, Pacquiao on Tuesday, February 16, met with the local LGBT group in Sarsangani to explain his side of the controversy.
Bong Barcelona of the LGBT community here vouched for Pacquiao’s character, saying he’s just expressing what he believes is right.
“We knew Manny Pacquiao for a long time even before he became a famous boxer. I can testify that he’s a good person at heart. It’s not his attitude to discriminate anybody but he is frank in expressing what he believes is right,” Barcelona said.
“His statement, in a way, hurts us but if you know him as a person you can move on easily and understand what he said,” Barcelona added.
The Pacquiao-LGBT fight is far from over as some groups are now riding on the controversial issue for political gains.
Incumbent Vice-President and presidential candidate Jejomar C. Binay have sided with Pacquiao on the issue while two of the five other presidential candidates have also sided with Pacquiao.
