Popular boxer, Manny Pacquiao has sparked criticisms from gay-rights activists after he described gays as “worse than animals”.
The eight-time world boxing champion is contesting for a seat in the Philippines senate and made the controversial comments during an interview as part of his campaign.
In a video shown by Phillipines television channel TV5, the 37-year-old said: “It’s common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals.”
Pacquaio is contesting on an ultra-conservative, religious platform, having converted to evangelical Christianity in 2010, saying at the time that he had God’s mandate to spread Christ’s gospel.
He has since apologised for any offence caused, but maintained his anti-homosexuality stance.