Boxing lawmaker Manny Pacquiao: condoms are “sinful”

A boxing champion — and, don't forget, Filipino congressman — has waded into the Philippines' acrimonious birth control debate.

Manny Pacquiao's message? Using condoms goes against God.

"We should control ourselves," Pacquiao proclaimed at a press briefing. "Condoms and abortions are sinful."

If Pacquiao's father routinely used condoms, the boxing lawmaker pointed out, the prophylactics could have prevented his birth and rise to boxing stardom.

"God said go forth and multiply," said the 31-year-old father of four. "He did not say just go and have one or two children."

You might be wondering why Pacquiao and the rest of the Philippines are so hung up on condoms. The government is attempting to push through a "reproductive health" bill that, among other initiatives, would use tax dollars to distribute condoms and promote sex ed in schools.

The law would also forbid employers from discriminating against pregnant women. And it would encourage — not force — couples to have no more than two kids. 

The plan has whipped up astounding hyperbole in the devoutly Catholic country.

For those keeping score at home…

A Catholic bishop has said the plan amounts to the "terrorism."

A former mayor of the capital, Manila, likened it to "martial law."

Another Catholic coalition has warned that condoms somehow help spread HIV.

And the president, who backs the proposal, has been told he'll be excommunicated from the church if it ever becomes law.