Photo from Pura Luka Vega's Instagram account
Drag performer Amadeus Fernando Pagente, popularly known as Pura Luka Vega, was acquitted by the Manila Regional Trial Branch 184 over his controversial performance using the Catholic mass song “Ama Namin.”
In the decision of Presiding Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva promulgated on June 10, 2025, the prosecution failed to show the law, public order, moral and good customs which Pagente violated by impersonating Jesus Christ and dancing to the tune of “Ama Namin.”
In 2023, Pagente was accused of violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
“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,” Samonte-Villanueva said.
During trial, the prosecution presented private complainants who are members and officers of Hijos del Nazareno who were able to watch the performance of Pagente dancing, singing and supposedly “twerking” to the “Ama Namin” song.
For the defense, among the witnesses presented was University of the Philippines art professor Lisa Ito-Tapang who testified that art, theoretically, has no limitations.
She also stated that the prosecution of Pagente sends a chilling effect to the art community.
Pagente also testified in his defense and reiterated that his performance was meant to show how Jesus would interact with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pagente stressed that if Jesus were alive, he would welcome everyone including “queer people.”
In its ruling, the court said it did not see the performance as sexually suggestive, only head banging and exaggerated movements engaging the audience.
“The prosecution utterly failed to discharge the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt that the act complained of constitute an indecent or immoral play, scene, act or show which are proscribed by the penal code,” Samonte-Villanueva said.
The court, however, reminded Pagente to be circumspect in his 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,” Samonte-Villanueva said.
The court also ordered the court to release the P72,000 bond posted by Pagente for his provisional liberty.
FROM THE ARCHIVES