Manny Pacquiao news update: #DropPacman on endorsements
#DropPacman trended in social media as a protest to the controversial statements made by boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao on same-sex marriage.
The eight-time world boxing champion received heavy criticisms after he expressed his views on same-sex marriage in an interview with "Bilang Pilipino" on Feb. 15.
"Bilang Pilipino" is the official data-driven coverage of the 2016 Philippine elections hosted by Filipino network TV5. It conducted an interview with four senatorial candidates about their views on same-sex marriage and this included Pacquiao, who is currently running for senator. In the said interview, all four candidates stated they are not in favor of it. However, the other remarks made by Pacquiao were singled out and resulted to much bashing and praises.
#DropPacman is creating a loud uproar attempting to reach the global companies connected with Pacquiao. Aries Dela Cruz, a New York-based Filipino, started a petition via change.org on Feb. 17, addressing Tim Hershey, Vice President of Global Merchanding for Nike and Executive Advisor to Nike's LGBT Employee Network, to "end their sponsorship deals with Pacquiao." The petition threatened that they "will boycott Nike products until Pacquiao is removed from their marketing and outreach materials."
In less than 24 hours, the petition achieved its triumph and the global sports company, Nike released a public statement firing Pacquiao from being their endorser. ESPN Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell reported that Nike abruptly terminated its contract with Pacquiao and declared the boxer's comments as "abhorrent." Nike is known to be supporting the LGBT community and has even came out with a campaign in 2014 titled #BeTrue which carries the rainbow flag design.
The #DropPacman petition made to Nike is just the first attempt of the LGBT supporters. The petition also challenges all other companies connected to Pacquiao to terminate contract with the champion.
On the other hand, a lot of people are also expressing their applause for the champion's courage to stand on the truth and said that Pacquiao did not condemn the LGBT people, but only referring to the immoral acts of this community that is greatly affecting the society, with increasing cases of HIV+.