The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 184 acquitted drag artist Pura Luka Vega for their controversial “The Lord’s Prayer (Ama Namin)” performance in 2023.
On Tuesday, June 10, the non-government organization Rainbow Rights Philippines announced that Pura Luka Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been acquitted by the Manila RTC. The latter’s lawyers from the Burkley and Aquino Law Office informed them of the recent development.
“This is an amazing gift in time for Pride Month as the Manila RTC affirms a person’s right to freedom of expression and freedom to exercise one’s own beliefs!” the Rainbow Rights Philippines said in a social media post.
Shortly after, Vega, who is also the organization’s Advocacy Officer, released a statement through the organization’s social media page, stating that justice had prevailed.
The drag artist highlighted that their recent acquittal in the Manila case is dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community.
‘Patuloy tayong lumaban’
“Una, ipinapahayag namin ang aming lubos na paggalang sa pananampalataya ng lahat ng tao kabilang na ang mga nagsampa sa akin ng kaso. Sa kabila nito, gusto rin po naming iparating na ang aming sining at ekspresyon ay ang esensya ng demokrasya at kalayaan magpahayag,” they wrote.
Vega thanked everyone who supported and helped them in the process, especially in times when their freedom was being suppressed.
“Sa huli, matapang kong masasabing nanaig ang hustisya. Matagal ko na pong napatawad ang mga taong nanutya at nagdiwang sa aking pinagdaanan,” Vega said.
“Sa true lang, sa mga bakla at naiiba sa lipunan, patuloy tayong lumaban at i-claim naten ang karapatang maging tunay na tayo. Walang kyeme! At nawa’y iadya natin ang isa’t isa sa lahat ng masama,” the drag artist said in closing.
Despite Vega’s victory over the Manila case, Rainbow Rights Philippines acknowledged the “chilling effects” of the outdated laws, which were used as the basis to file criminal charges against Vega, including other drag artists or any artist.
The group stated, “These laws must be repealed!”
Where it Stemmed From
In 2023, a clip of Vega dancing and singing to an upbeat and remixed version of the Catholic mass song, “Ama Namin,” made rounds online, while they were dressed as Jesus Nazarene. However, the so-called “Ama Namin” remix was not created by Vega, and was being used a audio in various social media posts at the time.
In the decision penned by the Manila RTC’s Presiding Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva, Vega admitted that they merely danced to the tune that was “readily available on the internet,” indicating that the drag artist downloaded the remixed version from YouTube.
The drag artist was sued by the leaders of Christian churches under the Philippines Jesus Movement (PJM) after the video went viral. The church leaders argued that Vega’s performance was “terribly blasphemous” and had caused a devalued and negative image of the Christian God.
The drag artist was charged for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
In October 2023, Vega was arrested for failure to attend the preliminary investigations. A few months later, a lower court in Tacloban City dismissed one of their cases due to a lack of probable cause.
However, in March 2024, the Manila Police District (MPD) arrested the drag artist again over charges related to the controversial performance.
The Manila RTC highlighted that although the performance may be “disrespectful and offensive,” the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted Vega for violation of Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and 201 (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code, concerning the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
