Boxing superstar and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao’s recent video interview, where he talks about his stand against same-sex unions, is drawing reactions from many citizens, especially from members of the LGBT community.
In the interview, he says that same-sex couples are worse that animals, because when animals mate, their instinct is to be with the opposite sex.
On February 16, a day after the interview was posted on Facebook, Manny apologized through a video on Facebook, saying, ““I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt.”
Manny said, “I am not condemning them (gays), just the act. I do not agree with them having to marry,” said to Rappler.
Broadway star Lea Salonga threw some shade at Filipino boxing icon and senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao, who claimed that no animal in the world would engage in a same-sex relationship.
On her Twitter account on Tuesday, the 44-year-old Salonga posted an image with a text that read: “Homosexuality is found in over 450 species. Homophobia is found in only one. Which one seems unnatural now?”
She says “I’m keeping my PH election choices close to the chest. At this point, it’s actually too early to decide. #Eleksyon2016”
On Twitter, Vice Ganda reacted to Manny’s apology, saying he accepts the apology, but is not voting for the senator.
“Patawarin nyo ko pero sa Diyos lang ako magpapahusga. Hindi sa boksingerong tumatakbo sa Senado na apat na beses lang pumasok sa Kongreso.”
A number of celebrities have taken to social media to express their disappointment over the comments made by Manny in an interview via Bilang Pilipino.
Pointing to the mating habit of animals, the boxing champ said it was “common sense” for animals to pair with the opposite sex. Based on this, he concluded that those in same-sex unions are worse than animals.
On Tonight With Boy Abunda, the talkshow host aired out his thoughts on the issue:
“Manny, sino ka? Sino ka para manghusga? Saan ka kumuha ng kapangyarihan para tawagin kami na mas masahol pa kaysa sa mga hayop? Common sense ang pina-uusapan natin. Tatakbo ka para senador? Ito ang aking katanungan, ito ang personal ko lamang na tanong: Palagay mo ba iboboto ko, mga kababayan dito sa studio, sa inyong mga bahay… na ang tingin sa akin ay mas masahol pa sa hayop? Manny, ang kasagutan, salita mo: ‘common sense.'”
(Manny, who are you? Who are you to judge? Who gave you the power to call us worse than animals? We are talking about common sense. You are running for sentator? This is my question: Do you think I, our countrymen here in the studio, in their homes would vote for… [someone] who sees me as worse than an animal? Manny, the answer is, in your own words, ‘common sense.’)
Aiza Seguerra did not hide his dismay, posting this on Instagram:
“I am so f-ck-n’ mad I don’t know what to say.
“You might’ve done our country proud but with your statement, you just showed the whole country why we shouldn’t vote for you.
“And yes, I think you are an ignorant, bigoted hypocrite.
“You made me lose all respect that I had for you, Mr Pacquiao,” Aiza said.
In the caption, Aiza added: “Ang kailangan ng bansang ito ay mga taong nag-iisip. Utang na loob, kilalanin ninyo ang iboboto ninyo (The Philippines needs thinking people. I ask you all, please know the candidates you are voting for.)
Aiza’s wife Liza Diño also posted the video on her Facebook page.
John “Sweet” Lapus posted this on Instagram and Twitter:
I beg you my dear fellow filipinos and of course my fellow LGBT family. Pls don’t vote Manny Pacquio. Hayop ang tingin nya sa atin. Ty. #MightAsWell #MannyBobo
Bobo ang anak mo! Kadiri. The LGBT will not vote for him.! https://twitter.com/ofacialdionisia/status/699288180193755136 …
Blogger Perez Hilton also did not hide his dismay over Manny’s stand.
He also wrote this on his blog.
“What?! Why do people have to compare homosexuality to animals?! WHY??”
“Look, if your religious beliefs prevent you from accepting same-sex marriage, that’s on you. That’s YOUR idea of propriety.
“But there’s absolutely no call to demonize and denigrate gay people by comparing them to animals just because their love is something YOU’RE unable to accept,” Perez said.
Former Pinoy Big Brother winner Slater Young also shared his opinion on Twitter:
Manny Pacquiao just knocked himself out with that comment. #LoveWins
Mo Twister also has this to say:
Can you believe it? @mannypacquiao is hated more in Philippines than @FloydMayweather. How the mighty have fallen.
Manny, who is running for a Senate seat under Vice President Jejomar Binay’s UNA party in the upcoming elections, is currently training for his match with Timothy Bradley scheduled this April in Las Vegas. ( Rappler.com)