Pacquiao denies abhorrent comments toward LGBTQ+ community

Presidential aspirant senator Manny Pacquiao has once again denied giving hateful comments towards the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning or queer) community. 

In an interview with actress and host Toni Gonzaga, Pacquiao defended his 2016 statement wherein he called members of the community “worse than animals.”

“Who am I to judge a person? Mahaba kasi ‘yung statement na ‘yun, naiba na ang meaning noong na-edit,” the boxing champ-turned-politician said.

“Lahat tayo kawangis ng Panginoon. Hindi ko sila kino-condemn. Maganda nga katrabaho sila. Masisipag at masaya,” he added. 

2016 controversy

In 2016, then Sarangani Rep. Pacquiao caused outrage for comparing homosexuals to animals.

“Ginawa ang babae para sa lalaki. Ginawa ang lalaki para sa babae. Common sense lang. Makakita ka ba ng any animals na lalaki sa lalaki o babae sa babae?" Pacquiao asked. "Mas mabuti pa ‘yong hayop marunong kumilala kung lalaki ang lalaki o babae kung babae," he added.

While he issued an apology statement over his remarks, members of the community still haven't forgotten the controversy. 

On Sunday, September 19, just a few hours after Pacquiao announced his presidential bid, host and comedian John "Sweet" Lapus threw shade at the eight division world champion.

“Mga bakla! Wag kalimutan, sinabihan tayo nyan ng "Masahol pa sa Hayop,” they tweeted. 

Pacquiao previously accepted his party’s nomination to run for president.