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A Nike statement said the company had severed its ties with Pacquiao, who triggered a firestorm of
controversy with his comments to a Filipino broadcaster earlier this week in this video below.
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"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," a Nike statement said.
"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."
Nike's move was welcomed by gay rights campaigners in the Philippines Thursday.
"Philippine LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and allied groups plus Nike's enlightened
stand has struck down the fundamentalist posturing of a bigot who wants to be a senator of the
land," said Danton Remoto, head of Ang Ladlad (the Unfurled), a gay rights political party.
Devout Christian Pacquiao, 37, who is running for a seat in his country's Senate, had issued an
apology in this video below soon after the controversy erupted.
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"I'm sorry for comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt," Pacquiao
said in a video post on Instagram, his arms crossed.
Pacquiao said he was not condemning homosexuals but was standing by his conservative Christian
faith.
"I love you all with the love of the Lord. I am praying for you."
Pacquiao told television station TV5 earlier this week: "It's common sense. 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."