Manny Pacquiao provokes storm by saying gay people are ‘worse than animals’
Manny Pacquiao has provoked a storm of controversy in his home country after saying people in same-sex relationships “are worse than animals”. The 37-year-old, who is running for a seat in the Philippines senate in May’s elections as a conservative Christian, made the remark in a video posted on local TV5’s election site.
“It’s common sense,” the eight times world champion, who later apologised, said. “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.”
The country’s most popular gay comedian, Vice Ganda, posted #PrayForMannyPacquiao to his 6.7m followers on Twitter as he hit back at the boxer, adding: “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.”
The singer Aiza Seguerra, who recently married her actress-girlfriend, called on voters to boycott Pacquiao, who is also preparing for his last fight in April, calling him an “ignorant, bigoted hypocrite”. Seguerra 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, beaten by Floyd Mayweather in May last year, represents the province of Sarangani in the House of Representatives, though is often absent. In one of his few speeches, Pacquiao quoted heavily from the bible as he attempted to stop a proposed law, since passed, giving free condoms to the poor.
Responding to the controversy via Instagram, Pacquiao initially posted an image of himself with his wife, quoting the Bible and writing: “I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desire of the flesh. I’m not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says.”
Later, though, he 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.”
However, clearly, not everyone is forgiving even in the aftermath of his apology. Nike announced it has dropped Manny Pacquiao in the wake of the boxer’s controversial remarks.
“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” Nike said Wednesday in a statement. “Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.”
Pacquiao also served as a pitchman for Wonderful Pistachios and Nestle, although representatives for both companies said they don’t have him under contract currently.
“Wonderful Pistachios is not currently affiliated with Manny Pacquiao nor do his views align with ours,” Wonderful Pistachios spokesperson Jennifer George told USA TODAY Sports. “Wonderful Pistachios stands firmly for diversity and equality and we proudly support marriage equality and inclusion around the world.”
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15 Comments
Mandy
February 18, 06:00When will public figures learn that political correctness is something that exists to help them? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, yes, but seriously, there’s a position you get to in life and you simply have to watch what you say and about whom. Coming out saying gay people are worse than animals, what did he really think would happen? That he’d get the same acclaim Donald Trump is getting from the right wing of America? Mscheewww.
And really: “Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female…” Seriously?
This dude is not even learned at all. Dude, do your research before you spout off nonsense next time. Or simply just zip it.
Kenny
February 18, 06:41What Mandy said! No need to say more. I hope he loses his last fight and the election. Mumu
Max 2.1
February 18, 07:06Ndi god and Jesus.. I kent deal biko.
They always hide behind “gods word” and “opinion” while spewing their trash. I’m glad Nike dropped his ass. I wish this could happen in Nigeria, that day I’ll give myself a treat.
KingBey
February 18, 07:25And then Nike dropped his tight minded ass like a piece of hot shit. Lol. Fugly thing.
Candy Man
February 18, 08:33He got the attention he desired, now he can die a lonely death.
DI-NAVY
February 18, 08:44I already knew it’ll end this way. Nobody died to make him judge, he sat up on that phantom throne , filled with so much uppity to talk down on ppl. He deserves any cold treatment he’s getting. Sanctimonious idiot.
Wife beater!
February 18, 10:25That Nike severed ties with him is whats making me feel some typa ways…he aired his ‘opinion’,it shouldn’t cost him…they shouldnt over-indulge bigots and elevate it to martyrdom!
Max 2.1
February 18, 11:02Some opinions don’t deserve to see the light of day. They’ve made it clear that they don’t wanna identify with such a person, so dropping him was the right move.
Max 2.1
February 18, 11:04A brand ambassador should uphold the values of the brand.. He doesn’t, and Thats why they dropped him like shit.
BRYANNNN
February 18, 20:19when i heard this, i wished America would match him up again with Floyd Mayweather……….dude needs more blows on his lips to perfect God’s awful creation…….Ugly thing!!!!
Pink Panther
February 18, 21:32Hahahahahahahaa!!!
JBoy
February 19, 00:05I almost got a query, some 13hrs ago, sake of this mumu…everyone, in the office, was mad at Nike except me. I still didn’t respect myself by keeping quiet…I spoke and not just speaking…I spoke with so much disgust at their hateful remarks, which I tho’t I was already getting used to.
Well, I care less as to what runs in their empty head concerning who I might truly be. I’m tired, I really am.
Pink Panther
February 19, 00:36You go boy! 😀
z
February 19, 07:50Hey Jboy, I miss your series tho, are we getting another episode anytime?
ofunwa
February 22, 21:29His village people, who obviously want his downfall, got him this time. Did he not rehears befor his PA’s? I hear public figures often speak by scripts…lol. Perhaps he decided to freestyle (as d winches in his vllge remote-controld him). Poor him. He didn’t pray well then. That means he’s not a good Christian, as he claimed, afterall.