Boxing superstar and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, who is running for a Senate seat under Vice President Jejomar Binay’s UNA party in the upcoming elections, has issued an apology to the the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community on Tuesday (February 16) after a Social Media war erupted over her comments about homosexuality.
The debacle began after his interview with “Bilang Pilipinas” was released online on Monday (February 15). He said that, coming from a religious background, he could not give it his support.
READ: Manny Pacquiao delivers blow on Same-Sex Marriage
Using an analogy, Pacquiao said that if persons engage in same-sex relations, then they are worse than animals. “Common sense lang. Makakita ka ba ng any animals [sic] na lalaki sa lalaki o babae sa babae? Mas mabuti pa yung hayop, marunong kumilala kung lalaki o lalaki, babae o babae, o di ba?” (It’s just common sense. Will you see any animal where male is to male, or female to female? Animals are better, they know how to distinguish between male or female, right?).
A day after his opinion stirred controversy, and received commentaries from different walks of life especially the celebrities, Manny Pacquiao issued an apology uploaded on his verified Facebook page. “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.”
https://www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiao/videos/1527050634265624/
While some did not accept the apology, others supported the People’s Champ, saying she did not need to say sorry for speaking the “truth.”
MrsRaine Ybanez: “The bible says ‘But if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1Peter3:14 Fight the good fight of faith Manny Pacquiao!”
Anton Guerrero: “Why criticize this great man just because of what he stands for? he has his own beliefs…please respect that.”
Zherra Kristel Ann Fernandez: “He condemns the SIN of Homosexuality because no sin should be justified. Any sin is against God. No buts and ifs. It is but normal for people who are doing the sin of homosexuality to react because they are attached to the sin itself. JESUS came for the sinners, yes its true because of God’s love and mercy. But He condemns the SINS against God and He made the way for the sinners to come to God by condemning sins through Grace. Sinning against God can never be justified with any reasons. Its either you choose to SIN or you choose to do the will of God. People are being destroyed because of lack of knowledge. Knowledge about the truth and about who God is. God bless the LGBT people with the salvation through Grace in Jesus. May them find the way, the truth and the life.”
