Pura Luka Vega acquitted in immorality case over viral ‘Ama Namin’ performance
Pura Luka Vega. Image: Instagram/@puralukavega
Drag performer Pura Luka Vega, also known offstage as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been cleared of criminal charges by the Manila Regional Trial Court in connection to their viral performance of “Ama Namin.”
In a 20-page ruling dated June 10, Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva of Manila RTC Branch 184 acquitted Vega of violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes obscene or indecent content concerning the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Wherefore, premises considered, for failure of the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, is hereby acquitted for violation of Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 10175,” the ruling read.
The decision stems from a complaint filed by the religious group Hijos Del Nazareno, which objected to Vega’s July 2023 drag performance in which he dressed as Jesus Christ and danced to a remix of “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer). The group claimed the act was “offensive and blasphemous.”
Manila is the site of the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene, where the tradition known as the traslación, or the transfer of the Black Nazarene from its original location to the Quiapo Church, is being commemorated.
The court, while finding insufficient evidence to convict, reminded Vega to be more “mindful” of the cultural and social context of their performances.
“This is not to curtail his freedom or rights nor to regulate his acts to belong to a presumed majority, but more to be compassionate on the community as a whole, especially with the accessibility of social media which makes it easy to record, upload and circulate materials which are readily available for consumption of the public,” continued the ruling.
The court also ordered the return of Vega’s cash bond, amounting to P72,000, which they initially posted for their provisional liberty.
Following the ruling, the drag artist took to social media to express gratitude. “Thank you for this wonderful news,” they posted on X (formerly Twitter). “One more case left. Just fight.”
Vega came under fire for several videos that went viral online for her portrayal of a jovial Christ in shining garb. One of the videos showed them with a crown of golden sunrays on their head, dancing and waving to a crowd of spectators who were also taking their video and dancing to an upbeat version of “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer), considered a sacred prayer by Catholics.
Vega was arrested in October 2023 after several complaints were filed against them due to the aforementioned performance. They spent three days in jail before being released on bail.
The drag performer was also declared persona non grata in several cities, including Manila, Cebu, and General Santos, following the controversy.
Apart from being ruled unwelcome in these local government units, Pagente also faces criminal charges initiated by the Philippines for Jesus Movement, a coalition of Christian groups. /edv
