Boxing champ Manny Pacquaio has apologized for an interview in which he declared gay couples were “worse than animals”. His original remark , made during a TV interview, caused a widespread outrage from gay celebrities and a rights group and sparked heated discussion.
Initially, Pacquiao appeared unrepentant, writing in a post in Instagram that he was” just telling the truth of what the Bible says”.
Speaking to local broadcaster TV5 in an interview aired this week, Pacquiao stated: “It’s common sense. Do you see animals that go male to male or female to female? So the animals are even better. Because they know how to distinguish from male to male or female to female. Right? Now if we allow male to male or female to female, then that makes us worse than animals.”
However, Pacquaio has now issued an apology. He tweeted : “Im sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. God Bless.”
Pacquiao is currently in the process of re-inventing himself in his homeland as he moves into politics, running for a seat in the nationally-elected senate in May elections.
Singer Aiza Seguerra, who recently married her girlfriend Liza Dino, called on voters to boycott Pacquiao in his senate bid, calling him an “ignorant, bigoted hypocrite”.
Vice Ganda, an openly gay comedian, has criticized Pacquiao for his comments, calling him a “ false prophet”.
Local gay rights organization and political group Ladlad condemned his remarks and issued a call to voters to boycott Pacquaio in May elections.
On Tuesday, Pacquaio had posted a picture of himself with his wife on Instagram in an apparent response to the controversy.
