Pacquiao’s fight with LGBT won’t hurt UNA, says Binay camp

BINMALEY, Pangasinan — The pummeling that boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao received for describing gay couples, lesbians and transgenders as “worse than animals” has not hurt the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) slate, a party spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

Mon Ilagan said Pacquiao has apologized and clarified that he respected the rights of every person.

“No, it was not a burden for the UNA slate. I think his position was very clear. Manny Pacquiao is a born-again Christian, a preacher and a charismatic leader,” he said.

Ilagan accompanied Vice President Jejomar Binay and senatoria lcandidates Princess Jacel Kiram, broadcaster Rey Langit and labor lawyer Allan Montaño in a visit here and to the capital town,Lingayen.

Binay did not take questions in Binmaley, but Ilagan said, “The vice president’s stand is that he respects the position of the Catholic Church but he also respects the rights of every person in our society.”

Shortly after his arrival at the Lingayen Airport, Binay held a motorcade from Lingayen to Binmaley, where he met with UNA candidates from different towns and cities of the province.

In Lingayen, he also addressed the opening of the 60th annual national council meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, which he heads.

Ilagan said the UNA slate might have to return to this province to cover its other towns and cities.

According to the Commission on Elections, the province has more than 1.7 million voters, making it the third vote-rich province, next to the provinces of Cebu, with 2.8 million voters, and Cavite,with 1.8 million voters.

The province is also perceived to be the bailiwick of his opponent, Sen. Grace Poe, because it was the home province of her adoptive father, the late movie star Fernando Poe Jr.

Binay was endorsed by former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who is running for governor against Gov. Amado Espino Jr.’s son, Boardmember Amado Espino III. The incumbent governor is running against Cojuangco’s wife, Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, for the province’s fifth district seat in the House of Representatives.

But during Binay’s visit here, Cojuangco was not around. Binay was instead welcomed by Governor Espino, Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario and Lingayen Mayor Iday Castaneda.  SFM