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Philippine boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao has sparked controversy for calling homosexuals "worse than animals" in a television interview.
His comments drew ire from gay Filipino celebrities and a rights group, as well as heated discussion.
The former world champion, who positions himself as a conservative Christian politician, is running for a senate seat in May elections.
The largely Catholic Philippines remains conservative on gay rights.
Mr Pacquiao, who is a member of the Philippines house of representatives, was speaking to local station TV5 earlier this week for its election coverage.
In a clip posted online (in Tagalog), he tells the interviewer: "It's common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?"
"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."
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 vice-presidential election, speaks to supporters during the start of national elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila 9 February 2016.Image copyrightReuters
Manny Pacquiao is running for a seat in the Philippines' upcoming senate elections
Filipino comedian Vice Ganda and singer Aiza Seguerra, who are openly gay, have criticised Mr Pacquiao for his comments, calling him a "hypocrite" and a "false prophet".
Local gay rights organisation and political group Ladlad condemned his remarks and issued a call to voters to boycott Mr Pacquiao.
It said in a statement, reported in local media, that his view "betrays a shallow understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity" and that failure to understand gay rights issues would leave him in the dark ages "when the cavemen ruled and the numbskulls roamed the earth".
On Tuesday, Mr Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight different weight divisions, posted a picture of himself with his wife on Instagram in an apparent response to the controversy.
Instagram post by Manny Pacquiao on 16 February 2016Image copyrightInstagram / Manny Pacquiao
He said: "I rather obey the Lord's command than obeying the desires of the flesh. I'm not condemning anyone, but I'm just telling the truth of what the Bible says."
The furore has split the online world, where many Christian followers have shown support for Mr Pacquiao while others have condemned him for his views.
Manny Pacquiao remains hugely popular in the Philippines, and has spoken frequently about his renewed Christian faith. He represents his wife's home province of Sarangani in the Philippines' house of representatives.
Many Filipinos hold conservative views on gay rights because much of the population is Catholic, but the country has several prominent gay personalities and the capital, Manila, also has a vibrant gay scene.
His comments drew ire from gay Filipino celebrities and a rights group, as well as heated discussion.
The former world champion, who positions himself as a conservative Christian politician, is running for a senate seat in May elections.
The largely Catholic Philippines remains conservative on gay rights.
Mr Pacquiao, who is a member of the Philippines house of representatives, was speaking to local station TV5 earlier this week for its election coverage.
In a clip posted online (in Tagalog), he tells the interviewer: "It's common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?"
"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."
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 vice-presidential election, speaks to supporters during the start of national elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila 9 February 2016.Image copyrightReuters
Manny Pacquiao is running for a seat in the Philippines' upcoming senate elections
Filipino comedian Vice Ganda and singer Aiza Seguerra, who are openly gay, have criticised Mr Pacquiao for his comments, calling him a "hypocrite" and a "false prophet".
Local gay rights organisation and political group Ladlad condemned his remarks and issued a call to voters to boycott Mr Pacquiao.
It said in a statement, reported in local media, that his view "betrays a shallow understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity" and that failure to understand gay rights issues would leave him in the dark ages "when the cavemen ruled and the numbskulls roamed the earth".
On Tuesday, Mr Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight different weight divisions, posted a picture of himself with his wife on Instagram in an apparent response to the controversy.
Instagram post by Manny Pacquiao on 16 February 2016Image copyrightInstagram / Manny Pacquiao
He said: "I rather obey the Lord's command than obeying the desires of the flesh. I'm not condemning anyone, but I'm just telling the truth of what the Bible says."
The furore has split the online world, where many Christian followers have shown support for Mr Pacquiao while others have condemned him for his views.
Manny Pacquiao remains hugely popular in the Philippines, and has spoken frequently about his renewed Christian faith. He represents his wife's home province of Sarangani in the Philippines' house of representatives.
Many Filipinos hold conservative views on gay rights because much of the population is Catholic, but the country has several prominent gay personalities and the capital, Manila, also has a vibrant gay scene.
