Manny Pacquiao apologize for calling LGBT is worse than animals

APOLOGY. Manny Pacquiao finally apologize to LGBT community who was affected by Pacquiao's statement that same sex marriage is worse than animals.

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing star and Philippine Senate candidate Manny Pacquiao apologized Tuesday for reproving people in gay relationships as "worse than animals" but said he stood by his opposition to same sex marriage.

         Fellow Filipino celebrities were among those criticizing his remarks, made when a TV network asked candidates about their views on same-sex marriage.

        "It's just common sense," Pacquiao said in the remarks posted online by the TV5 network. "Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?"

          Animals, he said, were better because they recognize gender differences, and "if you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals.”

          Among those who reacted strongly was popular gay comedian and TV host Jose Marie Viceral, known as Vice Ganda. Vice Ganda tweeted that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders are humans, not animals. He said that they're not saints, but that they'll pray for the boxer, who is widely acclaimed for bringing his country honors.

          Vice Ganda posted a picture of Pope Francis, suggesting that even the beloved leader of the Roman Catholic church does not condemn gays. He quoted the pope: "If a person is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"

          Danton Remoto, chairman of the LGBT group Ladlad, said Pacquiao's comments betray a shallow understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity.

         "He is running for a national position and he should be a senator of everybody, not just over-the-hill boxers and straight people," Remoto said by phone, adding Pacquiao and his advisers "should bone up on LGBT issues" of the 21st century.