Eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao apologised for describing homosexuals as “worse than animals” after his remarks sparked a firestorm of criticism in his native Philippines.
The Bible-bearing congressman from Saranggani is running for senator under the banner of UNA, political party of Vice President Jejomar Binay who is running for president.
In a recent interview on television station TV5, Pacquiao said: “Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals.”
Singer Aiza Seguerra, who recently married her actress-girlfriend, called on voters to boycott Pacquiao.
Multinational sportswear company Nike has cancelled its contract with Pacquiao over his comparison of gays with animals. The boxing champion later apologised for his remarks in a video published on his Twitter feed.