
MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Apparel giant Nike has terminated its relationship with boxer Manny Pacquiao after his recent inflammatory comments about the LGBT community.
“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” the statement reads. “Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao had compared gay men and women to animals – in fact, worse than animals.
Just hours after the Nike announcement, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dropped Jejomar Binay as its presidential standard bearer, a decision prompted by recent statements by the Vice President supporting Pacquiao’s position on same-sex marriage.
“We understand now that as a political party, we cannot discriminate against anyone, including the gay and lesbian community and that we must adhere to the separation of church and state,” an UNA memorandum said.
“Binay’s support for Pacquiao and his stand on same-sex marriage (which is basically following the Catholic Church’s position on the issue) will make it difficult for us to win in the elections,” the memo added.
Meanwhile, two other presidential candidates, Mar Roxas and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, are reportedly reconsidering their position. They are known to oppose legalizing same-sex marriage in the Philippines. The other two candidates, Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte are in favor.