Story highlights Manny Pacquiao apologizes after remarks on gay people cause outrage in Philippines

Eight-time boxing champion says homosexuals are "worse than animals"

Pacquiao, a local politician, is running for a seat in the country's senate

(CNN) Eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has apologized after sparking outrage in the Philippines by saying gay people are "worse than animals."

The 37-year-old, who is running for a seat in the country's senate, made the remarks on a television program broadcast by Filipino station TV5.

Campaigning to secure one of 12 national seats he said: "It's common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?

"The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals."

He first clarified his comments on his Instragram page, before later posting a video message on his Twitter account.

I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. God Bless! pic.twitter.com/bqjRcWqp8R — Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 16, 2016