Manny Pacquiao Faces Backlash After Disgusting Homophobic Comments

The eight-division and ten-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has come under fire after labelling gay couples ‘worse than animals’.

Pacquiao – a conservative Christian who is running for a seat in the Philippines senate – made the remark in a video posted on local TV5’s election site.

He said:

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.

Someone should tell Manny that homosexual behaviour has been documented in more than 1,500 species of animal…

According to the Guardian, the country’s most popular gay comedian, Vice Ganda, posted his response on Twitter.

He hit back at the boxer, saying:

Some people think they can judge people like God just because they’ve attended a prayer meeting and read the bible. The senate needs experts on politics and law, not blind prophets.

Singer Aiza Seguerra – who recently married her actress-girlfriend – called on voters to boycott Pacquiao.

She called him an ‘ignorant, bigoted hypocrite’ and added:

You might have done our country proud but with your statement, you just showed the whole country why we shouldn’t vote for you.

Pacquiao responded via Instagram, posting an image of himself with his wife, quoting the Bible:

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. 1 Corinthians 6:9 “[9] 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.” God Bless everyone i love you all. @johnnybantilan @david.sisson @jinkeepacquiao

A photo posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:06pm PST

However, he later added an apology, saying: 

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.

I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.

Pacquiao currently represents the province of Sarangani in the House of Representatives and recently attempted to stop a proposed law – that has now been passed – giving free condoms to the poor.