The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) dismissed on Friday, September 19, three criminal cases filed by a religious group against drag artist Pura Luka Vega, citing insufficient evidence to proceed with trial.
Pura Luka Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Magallanes Pagente and who uses they/them pronouns, expressed gratitude for the news and said they are hopeful for a positive outcome in the last remaining case, adding, “Laban lang.”
The QC RTC Branch 306 dismissed the cases involving three counts of violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175). Article 201 penalizes obscene publications and indecent shows.
Presiding Judge Dolly Rose R. Bolante-Prado granted the demurrer to evidence filed by the defense, effectively a motion to dismiss, on the grounds that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The charges stemmed from Vega’s viral drag performance of the song remix “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer) while dressed as Jesus Christ.
The performance, shared widely on social media, sparked backlash from several religious groups who claimed it was blasphemous and offensive to religious sentiment.
A group, Hijos del Nazareno, filed a formal complaint in August 2023, stating that Vega’s actions constituted “an attack against God, Jesus, and the Savior.”
In June 2025, Vega was acquitted by the Manila Regional Trial Court, which ruled that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Pura posted on their X page about the case dismissal and exclaimed, “Prayers answered. Thank you, Lord!”
Prayers answered.
— Pura Luka Vega 🙃 (@puralukavega) September 19, 2025
Thank you Lord! 🙏🥹❤️ https://t.co/uTqKDWlpGu pic.twitter.com/bYOH518T3T
Moreover, the Rainbow Rights Philippines, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, expressed its profound gratitude to Leflegis Legal Services, Burkely and Aquino Law Office, and the over 30 lawyers, law students, paralegals, and volunteers who worked to ensure that the freedoms protected by the Constitution would prevail over bigotry, intolerance, and hate.
