LGBT group congratulates Pacquiao but…

Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley in the WBO welterweight title boxing bout Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

A GROUP of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) professionals congratulated boxing champ Manny Pacquiao for his win over Timothy Bradley on Sunday but also advised him to leave the job of policy-making to “experienced” and “informed legislators.”

“We congratulate Manny [on his] recent achievement as a sportsman. We wish that he will continue to focus on his strengths as an athlete and let experienced, informed legislators and public servants [deal with the] law and policymaking,” Evan Tan of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce told the Inquirer Sunday.

In February, Pacquiao drew the ire of the LGBT community after saying in a TV interview that those who engaged in same-sex relationships were “worse than animals.”

The group, composed of around 100 LGBT professional from various sectors such as fashion, tourism, entertainment and technology, criticized Pacquiao, saying that “if we are to move forward as a society and a country, we need to have leaders who will ensure that we protect and respect the rights of every citizen.”

It also pointed out that a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles showed that “countries with more rights for LGBT people have higher per capita income and higher income levels of well-being.”

Pacquiao, an incumbent representative of Sarangani province, is running for senator under Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance despite his dismal performance in the House of Representatives. Pacquiao has roundly been criticized for being among the top absentee congressmen.

Evan Tan, one of the group’s founders, said that Pacquiao’s win Sunday showed that the sport of boxing was where he clearly excelled and should focus his efforts on. The boxing champ, however, had announced his retirement.

The LGBT Chamber of Commerce headed by shoe designer Brian Tenorio aims to promote diversity and inclusivity as part of corporate citizenship and promote the empowerment of LGBTs through entrepreneurship, among others.