Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he respected the opinion of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao following the boxing champion’s derogatory comments on same-sex relationships.
“I respect his opinion. Freedom of expression is very important. I may disagree with what you said, but I will defend your right to say it,” Duterte told reporters in an ambush interview at University of the Philippines Diliman.
READ: Pacquiao compares gays to animals, draws flak on social media
Duterte, who once joked that he used to be gay but was reformed, said Pacquiao was “entitled to say his piece,” adding that the Philippines was a free country.
“You may not like it. You may not favor it. But that is his right to express, freedom to express an opinion,” he said.
But the tough-talking mayor said he did not want discrimination among members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Duterte had pushed for the passage of an antidiscrimination ordinance in Davao City and previously described gays as “children of God.”
Duterte, however, cited that same-sex marriage was not possible under the Constitution.
But if elected president, Duterte said he would consider allowing same-sex marriage in the Philippines if Congress approved such law under his administration.
“I’m fine with gays. I have nothing against gays,” the mayor earlier said in a campaign sortie in Bacolod City.
Duterte also earlier said that “God does not discriminate against people, regardless of color, religion, social class, or gender and sexual preferences.” RC
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