MANILA - Former actress Alma Moreno, who had been a target of heavy online bashing, commiserated Sunday with fellow senatorial aspirant and boxing great Manny Pacquiao whose comments against same-sex unions drew public outrage.

"Masyadong masakit," said Moreno of the criticisms Pacquiao earned. "Kasi masyado nang personal 'yung mga bira kay Congressman Manny na hindi naman dapat ganoon -- pati pamilya niya, mommy niya."

Moreno's interview on ANC's "Headstart" last November 11, went viral on social media, with some netizens calling it "awkward" and "painful to watch."

She also bore the brunt of jokes and Internet memes using quotes from the interview.

Moreno said she has endured what Pacquiao must be feeling under a flurry of criticisms and the subsequent loss of his endorsement deal with sports giant Nike.

"Naramdaman ko din 'yun. 'Di ba naganoon din ako, isa ako sa mga naging biktima rin sa mga bashers? Sobrang sakit. So alam ko yung feeling ni Manny rin. Pero irespeto na rin natin. Kasi bawat tao may sariling opinion," she said.

But Moreno admitted that she was surprised by Pacquiao's blunt comment that homosexual couples are worse than animals.

"Nagulat ako na nasabi ni Manny iyun," Moreno said. "Kasi iyung masahol pa sa hayop, ikumpara ka sa hayop, masakit 'yun. Hindi ako agree doon."

She said she has many friends in the LGBT community, and is against discrimination.

"Kasi sa akin, may mga kaibigan tayo na gay, mga tomboy, na dapat lang irespeto bilang tao, dahil tao din 'yan," she said.

"Nagbabayad din ng tax din ;yan eh. Kahit iyung mga bading nagbabayad ng tax natin, tomboy, kumbaga nakakatulong din sila sa bayan natin."

But as a devout Catholic, Moreno shares Pacquiao's view that same sex marriage should be banned.

"Ang hindi lang ako sang-ayon ay iyung magpakasal kayo. Halimbawa, pareho kayong tomboy -- hindi ako sang-ayon doon. I'm sure din na marami ding lesbian, marami ding gay, na hindi rin sang-ayon na magpakasal, 'di ba?" she said.

Mon Ilagan, spokesperson of the United Nationalist Alliance under which both Pacquiao and Moreno are running, said the "People's Champ" will no longer comment on the matter.

"Tutal si Manny has said everything, huling huli na 'yung paliwanag niya [noong Biyernes]. Just be silent about the issue, and then it will naturally die down," Ilagan said.

Ilagan also said UNA's stand against same sex marriage is aligned with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

READ: LGBTs deserve respect - CBCP official

Senator Nancy Binay, daughter of UNA presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, also asked the public to respect Pacquiao's views as much as they want their own views to be respected.

She said this respect also applies to influential gay celebrities Vice Ganda and Boy Abunda who have lambasted Pacquiao for his remarks.

"At least with Cong. Manny, ito 'yung posisyon ko, ngayon kayo ang magdesisyon kung gusto niyo ba akong mahalal. Kasi kung 'yun 'yung posisyon ni Vice Ganda saka ni Boy Abunda, respetuhin din natin iyung [posisyon ni Manny]," she said.

READ: Pacquiao has message for Vice Ganda, Boy Abunda

The senator added that she did not retaliate against Vice Ganda, who mocked her senatorial bid in 2013 due to her supposed inexperience in public service.

"Kay Vice Ganda, hindi ko nga siya [pinatulan] noong ako noong 2013 eh. Papatulan ko ba siya ngayon?" Sen. Nancy quipped with a laugh.