SARANGANI PROVINCE – The presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao apologized to the LGBTQ community, adding that he was only misquoted during an interview many years ago.
Pacquiao, who has already pronounced his plan to run for president, has explained that, what he said was kind of spliced, that’s why it became a hate segment among the third sex organizations in the country.
“Na-edit kasi masyado yung statement ko na yun. Ang sinasabi ko palagi na hindi ko kino-condemn yong mga gay. mga LGBT. May mga pamangkin ako na LGBT, may mga workers ako na LGBT, sa bahay ko, o kahit na yung sa mga kapatid ko. As a person, hindi mo sabihin na galit ka sa kanya. Kinokondina mo sya. Who am I to judge a person,” he explained.
Pacquiao said the LGBTQ people are even nice to be with and they are very smart and talented individuals.
“Actually, mas maganda nga kaibigan, kasama, katrabaho yung mga LGBT, masisipag at masaya. Magagaling sila mag isip tapos masisipag, ganyan,” the senator added.
Pacman’s comments many years ago were again renewed on social media when he announced his plan to run for president.
This, as actor-director John Lapus had indirectly slammed presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao, citing his previous commentary comparing the third sex to animals.
Lapus, in his twitter tweet said, “Mga bakla! Wag kalimutan. Sinabihan tayo nyan na “Mas masahol pa sa hayop.”
The boxer-turned senator of the country is one of the few leaders who have earlier announced their bid for the presidency in the 2022 national and local elections. Among them were Senator Ping Lacson, Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Senator Bong Go, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Pacman’s revelation of running for the highest position of the land also created mixed reactions and questions about his capability to run the country if he wins in the elections.
Many Filipinos have openly supported the boxer’s presidential bid but others have also doubted the Pacman’s capability, saying he is not fit to run the country.
Quoting an article from Pilipino Star Ngayon. Pacquiao allegedly said: “Mas mabuti pa yung hayop, marunong kumikilala kung lalaki o lalaki, [kung] babae, babae. Oh diba? Ngayon kung lalaki sa lalaki o babae sa babae eh mas masahol pa sa hayop ang tao. Ang hayop lang, hindi talaga puwedeng magsama ang lalake sa lalake.”
Earlier on Toni Gonzaga’s Toni Talks Vlog, the senator clarified he is not in the position to make judgments on the LGBTQ community.
Meanwhile, in 2016, when Manny was still congressman of Sarangani, John Lapus recalled his past statement when he was asked about same-sex marriage.
“As Christian, bawal naman yung same-sex marriage. Ginawa ang babae para sa lalaki, ginawa ang lalaki para sa babae. Kasi para sakin ito lang, common sense lang, makakita ka ba ng any animals na lalaki sa lalaki o babae sa babae?” sabi ng senador na noo’y kinatawan pa lang ng Sarangani.
“Mas mabuti pa yung hayop, marunong kumikilala kung lalaki o lalaki, [kung] babae, babae. Oh diba? Ngayon kung lalaki sa lalaki o babae sa babae eh mas masahol pa sa hayop ang tao. Ang hayop lang, hindi talaga puwedeng magsama ang lalake sa lalake,” the Pacman commented.
