USA TODAY writer Tom Weir wrote Saturday, May 14, 2012, “Manny Pacquiao challenges Obama on same-sex marriage”, a fatal twist of the report I had written centering on an interview: “Pacquiao rejects Obama’s new twist on the Scriptures”. In his article, Weir said “Pacquiao also invoked Old Testament, and recited Leviticus 20:13, saying: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads,” referencing my fourth paragraph which states: “Pacquiao’s directive for Obama calls societies to fear God and not to promote sin, inclusive of same-sex marriage and cohabitation, notwithstanding what Leviticus 20:13 has been pointing all along: ?If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.? That, Pacquiao never said nor did he ever refer to such context.
Another over-the-board one who somehow reads Weir’s point of interest is Dennis Romero of LA Weekly, and wrote: “Manny Pacquiao Says Gay Men Should Be ‘Put to Death,” dated May 15, 2012. Such article, I believe, carries unfair, convoluted remarks, as a matter of opinion.
As we see, nowhere in my supposition and integration of my interview with Pacquiao did I mention that Pacquiao recited this Leviticus 20:13 nor did I imply that Pacquiao had quoted such. I have simply reminded in my column how God made it clear in the Old Testament time that such practice of same-sex marriage is detestable and strictly forbidden, in as much as God wants to encourage his people practices that lead to health and happiness and fullness of life. As my style of literary writing suggests in almost all of my columns, the critical thoughts I tied up in the structure of thoughts I wanted to convey pertinent to this issue at hand do not translate Pacquiao’s point of view, however conservative I am in my exposition.
And the same text has now been grossly misconstrued and regarded as Pacquiao’s text, that which is not.
Though I am critical of Pacquiao in some way, I strongly commend Pacquiao’s standing relative to same-sex marriage issue as only that has bearing to the morality side. What I see in him is a man who accepts everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. It’s just he has been so vocal about some issues, inclusive of the Reproductive Health Bill which he has sponsored and remains pending for potential passage in the Congress of the Philippines.
I believe while Pacquiao delves into his core, newfound faith in the conservative view of the Scriptures, he is as well a tolerant and a people-oriented believer.
I sincerely apologize for the confusion my column has caused. I certainly do not represent Pacquiao nor his team. It’s just Pacquiao’s view and my column will always be unacceptable to a liberal world, most especially during this crucial period of U.S. President Barrack Obama’s bid for second term and relative to his endorsement for the legalization of same-sex marriage which has met tremendous criticisms, oppositions and disenchantments across the U.S. , as he gears up for the US Presidential Elections this November 2012.
Pacquiao only says: “God’s words first … obey God’s law first before considering the laws of man.”
