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Drag artist Pura Luka Vega, also known as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, is now facing a fresh set of criminal charges related to the offense of religious feelings and violations of the cybercrime law.
These charges are in connection with a series of social media videos, including their controversial ‘Ama Namin’ performance.
Pura Luka Vega, who identifies with the pronouns they/them, has been charged with six counts of violating Article 133 (offending religious feelings) and Sections (2)(B)(3) and (2)(B)(5) of Article 201 (immoral doctrines and obscene publications) of the Revised Penal Code. These charges are in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The complaints have been filed by the advocacy group Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) before the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office. The allegations against Pura Luka pertain to the proliferation of vulgar content in the form of music videos uploaded on specific dates, including July 9, 2021; August 15, 2021; December 10, 2021; April 10, 2023; June 27, 2023; and July 11, 2023.
KSMBPI asserts that in these uploaded videos, Pura Luka Vega is seen blatantly mimicking and mocking ‘Jesus,’ ‘Jesus Christ,’ or ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ who is the central figure of Christianity. The group argues that Pura Luka Vega willfully and knowingly exhibited immoral and indecent scenes or actions that seriously offend religious feelings and the Christian religion, which is deemed intolerable.
This is not the first legal action taken against Pura Luka Vega. They were previously arrested by Manila police on October 4, 2023, over their ‘Ama Namin’ drag performance. This performance had stirred controversy and anger among various religious and civil sectors, including the devotees of the Black Nazarene associated with the Quiapo Church.
These devotees filed a criminal case against Pura Luka Vega. After spending three days in detention, they were eventually released after posting a bail bond amounting to P72,000.
Before their arrest, Pura Luka Vega had been declared persona non grata in various localities, including the capital city of Manila, where the arrest took place.
