Boy Abunda, Lea Salonga join other celebs slamming Pacquiao comments

Boy Abunda and Lea Salonga have joined the chorus of celebrities that have expressed dismay and anger over Manny Pacquiao's statement deriding members of the LGBT community who are pushing for same-sex marriage.

In his TV program, Boy Abunda said Pacquiao's statement comparing the LGBT community to animals deeply hurt him, especially because he used to have high respect for the athlete-politician.

"Sobra po akong nasaktan, ang sama-sama ng loob ko dahil sobra po ang aking paggalang kay Manny Pacquiao," Abunda said.

"Hindi ko alam ang pamantayan niya sa sinasabing tao; kung ang tao ay nananakit, kung ang tao ay nangyuyurak ng karapatan ng ibang tao, e gugustuhin ko nang maging hayop," he added.

For Abunda, Pacquiao “crossed the line” with his degrading and dehumanizing statement.

He firmly reiterated that the LGBT community will continue to fight for the right to dignity and humanity.

"Kami sa LGBT community hindi rin kami titigil hanggang sa dulo ng buhay namin, hanggang kamatayan. Ipaglalaban namin ang aming karapatan to equality, dignity dahil ninakaw ito sa amin," Abunda said.

Lea Salonga, for her part, has left a short but meaningful message on her social media account following Pacquiao's controversial statement on same-sex marriage and the LGBT community.

I'm just going to leave this right here... pic.twitter.com/4eDGh3cX0V

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) February 16, 2016

Actually, homosexuality is practiced by around 1,500 species. Not 450. My bad.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) February 16, 2016

Earlier, Aiza Seguerra, as well as comedians Vice Ganda and John Lapusalso expressed their negative reaction on Pacquiao's statement.

According to Vice, he accepts the apology from the senatorial candidate, but he will stand by his decision to not vote for him in the coming May elections.

Manny said sorry. Apology accepted. But i will still not vote for him. Manny for boxing not for Senate. #Respect

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016

May mga taong nakaattend lng ng prayer meeting at nakapagbasa lng ng bibliya higit pa sa Diyos ang turing sa sarili nila kung makapanghusga.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016

Manny, di ka namin mapipigil kung gusto mong husgahan ang mga bakla sa mundo. Siguraduhin mo lng na di ka namin makakasalubong sa impyerno.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016

The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016

Meanwhile, Aiza Seguerra, who is married to partner Liza Diño, said in Instagram post on Tuesday, “You might have done our country proud but with your statement, you just showed the whole country why we shouldn't vote for you.”

“I think you are an ignorant, bigoted hypocrite. You made me lose all respect that I had for you,” she added.

UNA standard bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay defended Pacquiao, who is included in his line up of senatorial candidates.

"Siguro mas maganda na hayaan ninyong magpaliwanag si Manny. Pero alam ninyo naman siguro maka-Diyos na tao 'yan ha," he said.

Binay added, "Kung ako naman posisyon ko sa same sex marriage, I will take the position of the Catholic Church.” —Bianca Rose Dabu/NB, GMA News