Manny Pacquiao stands by his views against homosexuality: ‘You know what I am telling is the truth’

Manny Pacquiao has been through what would seem to be a PR nightmare over the last several days.

He’s made comments that have caused global outrage, issued a public apology, lost his sponsorship from Nike and then caused even more anger with quotes he posted on Instagram.

Any of that would be enough to ruin anyone’s week. But apparently not Pacquiao, who spoke with reporters Friday while training in General Santos, Philippines.

“I’m happy,” Pacquiao said when asked how the controversy has affected him. “I’m always happy because God is with me.”

Pacquiao was one of several candidates for the Philippine Senate who were asked their views on same-sex marriage during a recent interview broadcast by the Filipino television network TV5.

“It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?” Pacquiao answered.

“The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”

On Tuesday he apologized for his statement but at the same time stood by his views.

“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals,” he wrote on Instagram. “Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”

Nike ended its business relationship with him the next day, calling his comments “abhorrent.”

Early Thursday morning, Pacquiao posted some Bible verses on Instagram. One of them, Leviticus 20:13, states in no uncertain terms that homosexuals should be killed:

“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Pacquiao’s post was up for about two hours and got more than 18,000 likes before being deleted.

And on Friday, Pacquiao still didn’t back down.

“What I am saying is right. I mean, I am just stating the truth, what the Bible says,” the Nike-clad boxer told reporters.

“What I did wrong was just comparing the people to animals, but you know what I am telling is the truth.”

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