AN LGBTQIA student organization in the University of the Philippines denounced Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao’s bid for the presidency for his stand against homosexuality.

The group recalled that Pacquiao issued “homophobic” remarks in 2016.

He said in an interview that people engaged in gay relationships are “worse than animals.”

UP Babaylan said that Filipinos should vote for a leader who believes in equality.

“It’s time to stop making excuses to discriminate against us. Hindi kami mas masahol sa mga hayop, TAO KAMI,” the group said on Facebook.

“Vote for equality and let us not elect this homophobic politician into a position where he can further advance his prejudiced beliefs,” it added.

Pacquiao accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban faction led by Sen. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel to run for president next year.