Ang Ladlad reminds Pacquiao: Be careful on gay remarks

MANILA, Philippines—For his alleged snide remarks about homosexuality, gay rights group Ang Ladlad on Thursday reminded Sarangani Representative Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao of his responsibility as a lawmaker.

Although the group respects Pacquiao’s opposition against US President Barack Obama’s support for same sex marriage, he needs to exercise caution when making such statements, said Bemz Benedito, Ang Ladlad’s first congressional nominee.

In an interview with the National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao was quoted as commenting on gay marriage, thrust to the top of the news agenda last week when President Barack Obama said homosexuals should be allowed to wed.

“God’s words first … obey God’s law first before considering the laws of man,” said Pacquiao, adding: “God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married, only if they are in love with each other.

“It should not be of the same sex so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah of Old.”

The piece said “Pacquiao’s directive for Obama calls societies to fear God and not to promote sin,” and cited Leviticus 20:13, saying: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.

“They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

But Pacquiao said he had only stated his opposition to gay marriage, and did not even know the biblical quotation.

“I’m not against gay people — I have a relative who is also gay,” he said in comments on his official website, adding that the Leviticus quote should not be linked to him.

“I didn’t say that, that’s a lie. I didn’t know that quote from Leviticus because I haven’t read the Book of Leviticus yet,” he said.

The author of the article had clarified that Pacquiao didn’t cite the Bible passage.

Pacquiao, formerly known for enjoying late-night parties and gambling, now ends almost every training day with a bible session in an auditorium in the hotel which serves as his training camp.

Benedito said the group will still support Pacquiao in his nearing match against American boxer Timothy Bradley and hopes that “someday, he will understand and accept us in his heart.”

Same-sex marriage is not in the platform of Ang Ladlad, said Benedito.

Benedito is set to file his candidacy at the Commission on Elections on Friday. With Agence France-Presse