VP Binay defends Pacquiao over LGBT comments

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday came to the defense of his senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao amid a social media firestorm over the Sarangani representative's comments comparing gay people to animals.

"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).

Pacquiao earned the ire of the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender) community after his remarks went viral. On Tuesday evening, Pacquiao backtracked and apologized for his comments comparing gays to animals, saying he didn't mean to offend anyone, even as he reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage.

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.

GMA News Online is still trying to get comments of other members of UNA over the comments. —JST, GMA News