Manny Pacquiao is a man of God. Raised Roman Catholic, he converted to Evangelicalism less than a decade ago, much to his mother’s dismay. He commonly appends some variation of “God Bless” to his Instagram posts, posts family photos every week on his way to church.
Manny Pacquiao is a man of the people. He’s made millions from boxing—earning $125 million from his long-awaited bout with Floyd Mayweather alone—but has also been a public servant in his native Phillippines since being elected to the House of Representatives (representing his wife’s district) in 2008. This year he was elected to the Senate, where he is one of 24 rather than one of 192.
Pacquiao was elected senator at the same time Rodrigo Duterte was elected President, the latest in a long line of horrible people who have held the office. He called the US Ambassador to the Phillippines a “gay son of a bitch” and publicly accused over 100 officials of being involved in the drug trade—and that was just last week. Since taking office he’s openly declared war on drug dealers and drug users—due process be damned—and hundreds have been killed. In response, hundreds of thousands have reportedly turned themselves in, literally throwing themselves on the mercy of the courts.
Pacquiao’s urging to bring back the death penalty, rather than going against his religious beliefs, was inspired by them.
A week ago, Pacquiao gave his first “privilege speech” as a senator. After citing the need for urgent action due to the nation’s rampant drug problem, he offered his solution—re-instituting the death penalty, which had been repealed in 2006 due to the fact that, despite sentencing, it had not been carried out in years. Senator Manny Villar, a billionaire whose wealth ironically in part came from cemeteries, wrote one of the bills calling for its abolition, saying in part: “Death, as a penalty for crime, has no place in a society that claims to strongly uphold freedom and human rights.”
Ten years later, death has once again become the penalty for crime, without even the facade of due process. Since Duterte took office in June, roughly a dozen people either involved in or suspected of being involved in drugs have been killed a day, either by police or civilian vigilantes, including 30 on August 3rd alone. Meanwhile, Pacquiao offered his support to the new President, who in turn said they have been friends for years.
Pacquiao’s urging to bring back the death penalty, rather than going against his religious beliefs, was inspired by them. “The death penalty is lawful, moral, and sanctioned governmental action,” he said in his privilege speech. “Having read the Bible on a regular basis, I am convinced that God is not just a God of mercy, but also a God of justice.” Maybe he just hasn’t reached the New Testament yet.
Also, you know who else read the Bible on a regular basis? Pope Francis, who said this regarding the death penalty in an address to American Congress last September: “This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty. I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.”
It’s unlikely that Pacquiao will face many—or any—financial or professional consequences for his support of the death penalty. He already lost most of his major sponsors including Nike earlier this year when he literally said that gay people are worse than animals. Even Floyd Mayweather, often painted as the bad guy in their rivalry (for good reason) was taken aback. Pacquiao’s Senate term runs through 2022, and his final (maybe) fight was in April.
That doesn’t mean he won’t face any consequences at all. His boxing legacy, brilliant as it is, should never be separated from his personal one. His support for a vicious, bloodthirsty leader should never be forgotten. And anyone citing Pacquiao’s devotion to his religion should look very carefully at exactly what that devotion entails.
