Pacquiao’s sudden drop in survey rating was brought about by his controversial statement on same-sex marriage which drew widespread criticism from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community and other sectors of society including celebrities here and across the globe.
In a recent TV interview Pacquiao voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying: “If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then they are worse than animals.”
Pacquiao’s rating in the past surveys has been consistent at 7th -10th place since the last survey conducted by Pulse Asia for ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network last November.
The sharp drop in Pacquiao’s latest poll rating is understandable as the survey was conducted at the height of the Pacquiao-LGBT controversy.
Pacquiao has since apologized to the pubic in general and to the LGBT community in particular for his “insensitive” statement but maintained his stand on same sex-marriage based on what he learned from the Bible.
As the controversy had stabilized following a heated debate on the controversial issue of same-sex marriage, voters are now ready to face the issue with a better knowledge and understanding of the subject as expounded in media by the contending parties.
It is worth noting that the Philippines is a Christian country (about 80 percent are Catholic) and the Catholic hierarchy is also opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage.
The next survey will tell if Pacquiao will regain his place as a consistent top placer (7th-10th) in the continuing survey.
The massive media exposure Pacquiao will be getting for his April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada could offset the negative publicity that he absorbed on the same-sex marriage controversy.
A fellow senatorial candidate and and a former senator have been calling on the poll body to stop or ban the airing of promotional materials for the Bradley fight, claiming that it will give Pacquiao massive advertising exposure to the detriment of other candidates.
It appears Comelec is not in the position to halt the fight as requested by the expositors based on the statement of Comelec Chair Andres Bautista.
“Maybe that is possible,” he said, when asked if the Comelec had the authority to block the fight broadcast. “As you all know, we have some form of control, regulatory supervision over entities… during an election period. But as to whether we can stop Pacquiao from fighting, that’s different.”
“It’s not the question of his boxing. The question is, is there a violation of the Fair Elections Act by the fact that he’s running for national office and that he gets this kind of TV exposure?” Bautista said.
A ruling is expected after the election body gave Pacquiao five days to respond to the petition.
