Same-sex couples are worse than animals, says boxing ace Manny Pacquiao

Manny made the remark in a video posted Monday on local TV5's election site.

New Delhi: Boxing ace Manny Pacquiao has created a big controversy in his home country after saying people in same-sex relationships "are worse than animals."

His comments since then has drawn criticisms from various quarters as heated discussions have also taken place.

Pacquiao, who is running for a Philippine Senate seat, made the remark in a video posted Monday on local TV5's election site. He also said animals are better than people in same-sex relationships because they recognize the difference between males and females. 

Filipino comedian Vice Ganda and singer Aiza Seguerra, who are gay, have criticised the boxer for his comments, calling him a "hypocrite" and a "false prophet". He tweeted that lesbian, gays, bisexuals and transgenders are humans, not animals. He said they're not saints, but that they'll pray for Pacquiao.

The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016

Danton Remoto of the LGBT group Ladlad said Pacquiao's comments showed he had a shallow understanding of issues important to the LGBT community.

The controversy has split the online world, where many Christian followers have shown support for Mr Pacquiao while others have condemned him for his views.