Manny Pacquiao Re-Emphasizes Biblical Stance on Gay Marriage While Apologizing for Offense Caused by Comparing Humans to Animals
Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has apologized by re-emphasizing his stance for biblical marriage, after becoming the target of criticism after making comments on same-sex marriage.
In a video interview for "Bilang Pilipino," one of Philippine TV's election coverages, he was asked what he thought of same-sex marriages.
He replied in Filipino, "It's common sense. Do you see any animals that go male to male, or female to female?" He adds, "So the animals are even better (than humans) because they know how to distinguish from male to male or female to female. Right?"
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Pacquiao added that this "ability to distinguish" makes human beings worse than animals.
The statements drew the ire of liberals online. Pacquiao, who is currently a Congressman of the Sarangani Province in the southern region of Philippines, is also running for a senatorial seat at the 2016 Philippine elections, which will take place in May.
His political aspirations are his main reasons for finally retiring from the sport of boxing after 20 years as a professional prizefighter. Pacquiao will be fighting his 66th and final fight on April 9th in a rubber match against former two-time WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
The said fight will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the same venue where there two previous fights in June 2012 and April 2014 were held.
Pacquiao has since issued an apology but has also re-emphasized his stance that marriage can only be between one man and one woman.
In an Instagram post, the 37-year-old boxer said that while he is sorry if his remarks had offended people, his strong stance against same-sex marriage remains, as it is "what the bible says".
He also clarified that he is not against the LGBT community, and that the core mistake he made in his comments was comparing humans to animals.
