A MANILA court has acquitted drag performer Pura Luka Vega, bringing a dramatic close to a case that became a lightning rod for national debates on art, faith, and freedom of expression.

Known offstage as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, Vega was thrust into the spotlight after a 2023 performance of a remixed version of the “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer) went viral. In the drag number, which featured bold religious imagery and music, Vega aimed to challenge perceptions but instead drew sharp backlash, particularly from conservative and religious groups. The performance, which took place in October 2023, was posted online and quickly circulated across platforms.

Religious group Hijos del Nazareno deemed the act offensive, eventually filing criminal complaints under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Law. Vega was arrested following the public outcry.

However, in a decision handed down on June 10, 2025, the court dismissed the charges, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prove that Vega personally uploaded the video that triggered the complaint. The ruling also underscored the constitutional right to freedom of expression, recognizing the performance as a form of artistic work rather than a criminal act.

In a statement shared after the verdict, Vega expressed heartfelt gratitude and framed the acquittal as a collective triumph. “We dedicate this victory to the LGBTQIA+ community,” Vega declared. “It is a win for freedom of expression and democracy.”

The case has become a landmark moment for the Filipino LGBTQ+ community, many of whom have long fought for representation and protection in a predominantly conservative society.

For supporters of the drag community, the verdict reinforces the legitimacy of drag as art, not obscenity. Although Vega’s performance polarized audiences, their legal win is now being celebrated as a precedent-setting moment for artists, activists, and gender-diverse individuals alike affirming that creativity, even when provocative, deserves protection under the law.(Fremelyn Bance, PIT Comm Intern)

• Tags
• #Pura Luka Vega
• #Amadeus Fernando Pagente
• #Ama Namin
• #Hijos del Nazareno
• #Cybercrime Law
• #Freedom of expression
• #Acquittal