Manny Pacquiao apologizes after anti-gay remarks … sort of

Boxing star and Philippine Senate candidate Manny Pacquiao apologized Tuesday for denouncing people in gay relationships as “worse than animals” but said he stood by his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Pacquiao, who is currently running for a seat in his country’s senate, made the eyebrow-raising comments while speaking out against same-sex marriage in a Feb. 15 interview with Filipino television station, TV5.

“Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female? The animals are better,” the 37-year-old boxer said in the interview, according to CNN. “They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”

Obviously, the internet exploded in backlash. Pacquiao, who is the only eight-time world champion in his sport’s history, took to Instagram to apologize in a series of posts, but did not back down on his opposition to marriage equality.

I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desires of the flesh. Im not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says. The truth from the Bible is what changed me from my old ways. 1 Corinthians 6:9 “[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.” God Bless everyone i love you all. @johnnybantilan @david.sisson @jinkeepacquiao

A photo posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:06pm PST

This feels less like an apology and more like an obligation, Manny …