Manny Pacquiao on condemning LGBT community: Wala sa puso ko ‘yan

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao reiterated that he’s not condemning the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community.

“'Pag talagang intindihin, ulitin 'yong interview ko, panoorin, ang tinutukoy ko po doon ay act, iyong paggawa. Hindi po 'yung LGBT ang kinokondena ko,” he clarified in an interview on dzMM on Wednesday.

“Iyong paggawa po ang tinututulan natin. Pero iyong pag-condemn sa mga LGBT, wala po sa puso ko iyan kasi bawal mag-condemn ng isang tao,” he added.

The interview took place before Pacquiao was dropped by sports brand Nike as its endorser, saying that the brand “strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.”

READ: Nike drops Manny Pacquiao in wake of anti-gay statements

The Saranggani Representative is the talk of the town after his comments about same sex marriage, which was posted on the Bilang Pilipino Facebook page, turned viral. 

Members of the LGBT community reacted to Pacquiao's interview, and celebrities such as Vice Ganda and Boy Abunda slammed the boxer for his comments.

The comedian told Manny on Twitter, “(Hindi) ka namin mapipigil kung gusto mong husgahan ang mga bakla sa mundo. Siguraduhin mo lang na di ka namin makakasalubong sa impyerno.”

READ: Vice Ganda tells Manny Pacquiao: Make sure we won’t see you in hell

Meanwhile, Abunda challenged: “Sino ka para manghusga? Saan ka kumuha ng kapangyarihan para tawagin kami na mas masahol pa kaysa sa mga hayop?

READ: Vice Ganda accepts Manny’s apology; Boy Abunda airs sentiments

The People’s Champ has already apologized through his social media accounts on Tuesday, but stood by his stand against same sex marriage.

READ: Pacquiao apologizes for comments against LGBT community

In line with this, Manny was asked in his interview with dzMM for his message for the two personalities who criticized him over his statement. 

“Ako po’y humihingi ng paumahin sa inyo kung nasaktan ko man kayo doon sa gamit ko na word na pagkumpara ko sa tao sa hayop,” he said.

However, he explained: “Pero explanation ko po ‘yon, opinion, tinatanong ako kung ano… ‘yong act ang ine-explain ko doon, ‘yong gawa hindi ‘yong individual na sila. So nakasakit man ako, humihingi ako ng paumanhin.”

“Pero ang sa akin, nando’n pa rin ang paniniwala ko na hindi ako pabor sa same sex marriage,” he added.