Boxer denies quoting from Book of Leviticus
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao denied condemning homosexuals when he made his comment against same-sex marriage.
Pacquiao, who has become a Bible preacher, said he merely voiced out his opinion against homosexual union.
“Sinabi ko lang ang opinion ko na against the law of God ang same-sex marriage (I only gave out my opinion that same sex marriage is against the law of God),” he told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo.
Pacquiao stressed that he is not against homosexuals, adding that he also has gay relatives.
What he opposes are acts which, he said, violate the Holy Scripture.
“Hindi ako tutol sa gays… may kamaganak akong bakla. Wala tayong magagawa kung pinanganak silang bakla. Ang ayaw ko lang paglabag mo sa utos ng Panginoon,” said Pacquiao.
(I’m not against gay people… I have a relative who is also gay. We can’t help it if they were born that way. What I’m critical off are actions that violate the word of God.)
I haven’t read Leviticus yet
Pacquiao also refuted reports that he quoted a verse in the Book of Leviticus, which talked of putting homosexuals to death.
He denied citing the Bible verse from Leviticus 20:13 which said: “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.”
“Hindi ako nagsabi niyan, kasinungaligan iyan,” said Pacquiao. “Hindi ko alam iyang verse ng Leviticus kasi hindi pa ako nakabasa ng Leviticus.”
(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.)
Pacquiao’s alleged anti-gay remark drew scathing reactions from the gay community.
This also resulted to cancellation of his scheduled appearance at The Grove mall in Los Angeles.
Bill Reich, spokesman of The Grove, told LA Weekly that they were cancelling the event.
“Manny Pacquiao is not coming to the Grove,” he said. -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo