Pacquiao, who was interviewed on TV in an election-related program, said even animals do not engage in same sex (sexual) relationship.
“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.
On Tuesday Feb. 16, Pacquiao posted on his Facebook page statement saying he is not condemning anyone and just referring to the truth as what the Bible says.
“I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desires of the flesh. Im not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says. The truth from the Bible is what changed me from my old ways,” he added.
He continued by quoting the Bible: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men,” he said.
“God Bless everyone i love you all,” he added.
Despite Pacquiao’s clarification statement, members of the LGBT community took to social media to express their disappointment and outrage on what they refer to as discriminatory statement aimed at the LBGT community.
Leading LGBT organization Ladlad criticized Pacquiao for his statements and called on the community not to vote for Pacquiao as senator.
“Ladlad supports the rights of people to have consensual, same-sex relationships that lead to domestic partnerships or even to same-sex marriage,” said Ladlad’s head Danton Remoto.
Celebrities including Aiza Siguerra, Vice Ganda and Perez Hilton, among others have likewise joined hands in defending the rights of the member of the LGBT community with their individual statements on social media.
