Pacquiao backtracks, apologizes for comparing gays to animals

Filipino ring icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday backtracked from his comments comparing homosexuals to animals amid a social media firestorm from the lesbians, gays, transgender, and bisexual (LGBT) community and its supporters.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial took to social media to apologize.

"Nais ko pong humingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng nasaktan dahil sa aking pagkumpara sa tao sa hayop," he said in the video.

In a caption to accompany the post, Pacquiao said he remained against same sex marriage because of the Bible, but clarified he wasn't condemning anyone.

"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," he said.

Social media firestorm

Prior to his apology, Pacquiao had come under fire from a wide range of LGBT celebrities and advocates for his comments.

Pro-LGBT party-list LADLAD condemned the statement and encouraged people not to vote for candidates with "shallow understanding of issues" that the LGBT communiy is facing.

Gay comedian Vice Ganda also took shots at Pacquiao on Twitter.

"The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao," wrote the comedian on his Twitter account, before taking a jab at Pacquiao's rumored extra-marital affair.

"Ang pagpatol sa parehong kasarian ay masahol pa sa hayup? E ang pakikiapid habang ika'y may asawa anung kababuyan ito? Pakisagot Manny!"

Another gay celebrity, John Lapus, implored fellow members of the LGBT community not to vote for Pacquiao.

"I beg you my dear fellow filipinos and ofcourse my fellow LGBT family. Pls dont vote Manny," he wrote.

Even international celebrity blogger Perez Hilton sounded off on the video, calling Pacquiao's views messed up.

Vice Ganda, after seeing Pacquiao's latest video, said he accepted the fighter's apology, but still said he won't vote for the candidate for senator.

Binay defends Pacquiao

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's political principal, Vice President Jejomar Binay, came to the defense of the fighter.

"Siguro mas maganda na hayaan ninyong magpaliwanag si Manny. Pero alam ninyo naman siguro maka-Diyos na tao yan ha," Binay said when sought for comment.

Pacquiao is running under Binay's slate in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Binay, for his part, said his position on same-sex marriage is in line with the Catholic Church, which is vehemently opposed to gay unions.

"Kung ako naman posisyon ko sa same sex marriage, I will take the position of the Catholic Church," he said. —JST, GMA News