Drag Queen Pura Luka Vega Is Facing Charges for ”Ama Namin” Performance
The controversy isn't over for the drag queen.
(SPOT.ph) Drag queen Pura Luka Vega is facing charges for the alleged violation of the Revised Penal Code following their highly controversial “Ama Namin” performance just weeks after General Santos City declared them persona non grata for the same issue.
Three Christian church leaders under Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM)—PJM President Bishop Leo Alconga, Pastor Romie Suela, and Pastor Mars Rodriguez—filed an individual case on Monday, July 31, Inquirer reported.
“It’s very damaging sa faith ng nakakaraming Filipino. Iyong ginawa niya ay direct insult sa may hawak sa pananampalataya sa tunay at buhay na Diyos,” Alconga said.
On July 10, Vega posted a video on Twitter (now called X) of their drag performance where they were seen jamming to a punk remix of the religious hymn “Ama Namin” while dressed up as Jesus Christ. It wasn’t the first time they used religious imagery and motifs in a performance, but it's one that caught everyone’s attention in the past month.
Also read: Yassified Worship? Here's What Religious Leaders Think About the “Ama Namin" Drag Act
The charges against Pura Luka Vega
Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows are penalized under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code. Offenders may be imprisoned for a maximum of six years and/or fined P6,000 to P12,000.
In 2017, the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act No. 10951 increased the fine to a range of P20,000 to P200,000.
Senate President Miguel Zubiri had raised the same argument on the basis of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, stating that what Vega did is “the height of misuse and abuse of our freedom expression that borders on criminal activity." However, lawyer and De La Salle University College of Law Founding Dean Chel Diokno refutes this claim, saying that it cannot be counted as a crime since the act was not committed in an actual place of worship.
Also read: Ama Namin Drag Performer Pura Luka Vega Is Now Persona Non Grata in General Santos City
Who is behind the Philippines for Jesus Movement?
At the helm of PJM is National Chairman Bishop Eddie Villanueva—evangelist, CIBAC party-list representative, and father of Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. PJM was a product of Bro. Eddie’s spiritual vision for churches to “unite to win the country with the Gospel.”
Joel Villanueva also released a strongly worded statement on July 14 condemning Vega's behavior, likewise citing the Revised Penal Code.
“Hindi lahat ng gusto nating i-express ay gagawin natin sa isang entablado nang wala kahit katiting na responsibilidad. Hindi po tayo mag-a-adjust sa isang gawaing nagpapakita ng tahasang kawalan ng respeto,” Joel Villanueva said in a statement.
“Ang isang gawaing nagreresulta sa mockery o pangungutya sa sa pananampalataya ng isang indibidwal o grupo sa kanilang mga religious belief and practices ay isa ring punishable act sa ilalim ng Article 201 ng Revised Penal Code. Ang pananagutan sa batas ay walang pinipiling kasarian.”