Pacquiao: I’d rather not win as President if made to choose between passing divorce or abortion

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday said he would rather not win at all in the May 9 polls if he has to choose between passing divorce or abortion in the country.

He said he has to stand up with what he believes in and he will not compromise his beliefs in exchange for being the next leader of the Philippines.

“Tinanong nga ako eh, may isa ako papiliin na kailangan ipasa para manalo ako. Divorce or abortion? Sabi ko ‘wag na lang ako manalo kung pipili ako sa mga ganyan,” he said in an interview.

(I was asked that if I were to choose between divorce or abortion for me to secure victory in the elections, what would I choose? I said I’d rather not win if I have to choose between that.)

“’Wag na ang ako manalo kung pipili or mag-compromise ako. Kasi ang pinaglalaban ko ‘yung tama. Pag sinabi kong ipakulong ko lahat ng corrupt at sugpuin ang corruption, hindi talaga ako makipag-compromise diyan. Katulad din diyan, ganyan ang stand ko,” he added.

(I’d rather not win than to compromise. Because I am fighting for what is right. When I say I will jail corrupt politicians and I will end corruption, I will not compromise on that. That’s the same with my other stances.)

He made the remark when he was asked if he is worried of losing votes on his stance against same sex marriage and civil unions of members of the LGBT community.

While he said he respects and does not discriminate on the members of the LGBT community, he appealed that his stand be respected.

“Mahal ko ang mga LGBTQ+, wala ako karapatan na i-discriminate sila. Ang akin lang, yung paninindigan ko, ‘yung paniniwala ko, respetuhin din naman,” he said.

(I love the LGBTQ+, and I have no right to discriminate them. For me, my beliefs and stance should be respected also.)

“Respetuhan naman tayo so kung yan ang paninindigan ko, so dapat i-respeto rin. Siyempre tao din ako, kung alam ko na hindi tama rin, hindi rin ako mag-sang-ayon,” he added.

(Let’s just respect each other. If that’s my belief, it should be respected. Of course I am human also, if I know that something is right, I would not agree.)

READ: Presidential candidates weigh in on civil union and divorce

As a devout Christian, Pacquiao has been known to have a hard stance against divorce, abortion, same sex marriage and civil unions of the LGBT members.

In 2016, the boxer-turned-politician drew flak for describing gay couples, lesbians and transgenders as “worse than animals.”

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