Pacquiao apologizes for saying same-sex marriage 'makes us worse than animals'

Manny Pacquiao has apologized for criticizing same-sex marriage and saying such unions "make us worse than animals."

"It's common sense," the Filipino boxer and politician said in a video posted to Bilang Pilipino's Facebook page on Monday. "Do you see any animals that go male to male, or female to female?"

"So the animals are even better (than humans)," Pacquiao added. "Because they know how to distinguish from male to male or female to female. Right?"

Following a large backlash, Pacquiao issued an apology Tuesday on his official Facebook page but did not retract his stated opinion:

"I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. I still stand on my belief that I'm against same-sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I'm not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I'm praying for you."

Pacquiao is running for a senate seat in the Philippines. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in the country.