Manny Pacquiao has sparked anger with controversial comments on the subject of same-sex marriage.
Eight-time world boxing champion is running for a senate seat in the Philippines. The 37-year-old is currently a member of the House of Representatives. He represents his wife's impoverished home province of Sarangani in the House of Representatives. The boxer is notorious for chronic absences. The most recent surveys suggest Pacquiao would win.
His remarks were posted online Monday by TV5.
"It's just common sense," Pacquiao said. "Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations? if you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals."
Gay marriage is outlawed in the Philippines due to strong opposition from the Catholic Church.
"As a Christian, same-sex marriage is not allowed," said Pacquiao. "Woman was made for man, man was made for woman."
80 percent of the country's 100 million people subscribe to the Catholic faith.
"The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao," popular gay comedian Vice Ganda tweeted.
Ganda alo posted a picture of Pope Francis, suggesting that even the leader of the church does not condemn gays.
"Some people think they can judge people like God just because they've attended a prayer meeting and read the bible. The Senate needs experts on politics and law, not blind prophets," Vice Ganda added.
He credits his renewed Christian faith for transforming him from a free-spending womanizer.
"Outside the boxing ring, I don't think Manny Pacquiao should be taken seriously. It struck me first as funny. I pity him," Kakay Pamaran, a pastor at one of Manila gay churches.
"I would advise him to talk to more LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual and transgender) persons, meet them and not just reduce his concept of LGBT to the sexual act."
