MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 184 has acquitted drag artist Amadeus Fernando Pagente, popularly known as Pura Luka Vega, in the case involving his controversial drag performance of the Catholic song “Ama Namin.”
In a decision promulgated by Presiding Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva on Tuesday, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove Pagente violated any law, public order, or moral standards by impersonating Jesus Christ and performing to the sacred hymn.
“In sum, Pura Luka’s performance may be disrespectful and offensive, but the prosecution fell short of proof that the same is unlawful under Article 201,” the judge said, referencing the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Pagente had been charged in 2023 for allegedly violating Article 201, which penalizes immoral or indecent performances, with the cybercrime law invoked due to the viral nature of the performance online.
The case was prompted by complaints from the religious lay group Hijos del Nazareno, whose members testified during the trial that they were offended by Pagente’s performance, which included singing, dancing, and “twerking” to the tune of the Catholic prayer.
For the defense, University of the Philippines art professor Lisa Ito-Tapang argued that art should remain unrestricted, warning that Pagente’s prosecution could have a chilling effect on the artistic community.
Pagente, who also took the stand, clarified that his performance was not intended to mock the faith but to show how Jesus would embrace the LGBTQIA+ community. “If Jesus were alive today, he would welcome queer people,” he said.
The court concluded that while the performance may have caused offense, it did not meet the legal threshold for criminality.
“The prosecution utterly failed to discharge the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” the judge noted, adding that the show involved only “head banging and exaggerated movements.”
Judge Samonte-Villanueva, however, urged Pagente to exercise discernment in future performances.
“This is not to curtail his freedom or rights, but to encourage compassion for the wider community,” she wrote, emphasizing the reach of social media in public discourse.
The court also ordered the release of Pagente’s ₱72,000 bail, posted during his provisional liberty.
The ruling marks a significant moment in the intersection of artistic freedom, religious sensitivity, and LGBTQIA+ expression in the Philippines.