Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has apologized for saying homosexuals are “worse than animals,” reports BBC.
The champion fighter who also is an elected member of the Philippines House of Representatives is running for the Senate.
In a televised interview with TV5 in his home country, Pacquiao said “It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?
“The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”
A firestorm of criticism followed his remarks. At first Pacquiao went on the defensive, writing on Instagram that he “was just telling the truth of what the bible says.” He has since backtracked and has offered his apologies.
He says he remains against gay marriage, but said he was “not condemning LGBT”
“God Bless you all and I’m praying for you,” he wrote on Facebook.
I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand…
Posted by Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Praying hard. https://t.co/2JL5x1v9aS
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) February 16, 2016
On a scale of 1 to Manny Pacquiao, how homophobic are you?
— Magello and 9 others (@magslooper) February 16, 2016
Retweeted Vincent Angielo (@vincentangielo):
at least we are animals with a heart?? #PrayForMannyPacquiao… https://t.co/BbVsvXMFwZ
— dphk2000 (@divilynpaderes) February 16, 2016
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