Last week, world champion boxer turned politician Manny Pacquiao inspired outcry when he declared people in gay relationships to be “worse than animals.”
In an interview with TV5 network, Pacquiao stated:
“It’s common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals.”
His objectionable statement earned him fiery condemnation from various LGBT groups around the world. Some are even urging voters to boycott him at the polls on Election Day in May, in which he will be running to secure a spot in the Phillippines’ Senate.
The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao.
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016
The 37-year-old second-term congressman quickly became aware that his statement earned him little favor among voters, therefore, issued an apology on Tuesday to contain the controversy.
“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 L.G.B.T. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”
Manny said sorry. Apology accepted. But i will still not vote for him. Manny for boxing not for Senate. #Respect
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016
As a born-again Christian, he says he stands by his opposition to gay marriage, which is banned in the Philippines, a deeply Catholic country.
Intriguingly, Pacquiao’s political ascendance has been fueled in large part by his storybook rise from poverty to avatar. Now a part-time boxer and conservative Christian politician, he has profound ability to affect change; let’s hope this lesson in humility opens his eyes to the diverse types of people and the need for world-wide collaboration and acceptance.
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