An ocean away from the U.S. campaign trail, the Philippines is having its own election season. The nation's most-high profile candidate is not a billionaire or wife of a former president, but a world champion boxer.
Manny Pacquiao is running for a senate seat. Name recognition gives him a leg up, but recent statements related to homosexuality are hindering Pacquiao's image.
"It's common sense," Pacquiao said in an interview with TV5 of the Philippines. "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's words were immediately met with criticism from Filipino politicians and celebrities. Most notably, singer Aiza Seguerra went to Instagram for a vulgar rant. Kids, cover your eyes and know the important part of the quote reads, "You might have done our country proud but with your statement, you just showed the whole country why we shouldn't vote for you."
On Monday night, he attempted to calm the backlash against him with a peaceful explanation of his remarks. On an Instagram upload with wife Jinkie, Pacquaio -- who is deeply religious -- wrote that he would "rather obey the Lord's commands than obeying the desires of the flesh."
Pacquaio then worked out with Freddie Roach:
But by Tuesday morning, Pacquiao was finally convinced to issue an apology. After all, he is a politician now.
Pacquiao's senate election is on May 9, just over one week to the day Pacquaio lost to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in a unanimous decision.
Pacquiao plans to retire from boxing after one final fight on April 9 against Timothy Bradley, Jr. at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
