Manny Pacquiao says he respects Nike’s decision to drop him

Another well-known Nike (NKE -0.1%) endorser fell from grace this week when the company cut off ties with Manny Pacquiao due to repeated homophobic comments.

‘I mean I am just telling what the Bible says. “I’m in favor of gay rights and same-sex marriage. I’m apologetic personally to the gay movement in the United States”.

As visceral opposition builds, The Washington Post reports that Nestle and Wonderful Pistachios have released press releases explaining that both would stand in solidarity with Nike in not affiliating themselves with Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao says he’s happy about the controversy over his comments against homosexuality, saying that God is on his side. The famous sportswear brand has a reputation of opposing any kind of discrimination and supporting LGBT rights.

Pacquiao, who will bid adieu to boxing after his last fight against Timothy Bradley in April, intends to fight for a senate seat in the May elections.

The boxer during a TV interview, said animals were better than gay people, because according to him, “animals could distinguish between a male and a female”.

Pacquiao’s remarks were criticized by several Filipino celebrities, and he responded by issuing an apology of sorts.

Bello said he hopes Pacquiao would voluntarily change the fight schedule, but added that his (Bello’s) campaign would consider calling for his disqualification if the boxer refused to do so. “Sexual preferences are now open, a marriage of persons of the same sex is now open and he has to accept it”. This, he added, could be a test as to whether people would still want to see him fight. “I dont think it’s amusing”, said the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Spectre” star at the LA International Airport.

“Manny is a great boxer, and I am a fan, but now that he is also a senatorial candidate, he needs to understand that election laws must apply to everyone”, Bello said. “For me, I will not make [a statement] that strong but it’s unnatural”, Enrile told GMA News.

Interaksyon reports that also publically denouncing Pacquiao is Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete in the National Basketball Association.