Drag performer Pura Luka Vega (assigned name at birth: Amadeus Fernando Pagente) was re-arrested by the Manila Police District, using a warrant of arrest issued by a Quezon City court based on three counts of alleged violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which includes immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.
In July 2023, Pura danced to a remix of The Lord’s Prayer while donned in a Black Nazarene-inspired costume. A video taken during the event was “leaked”, and some “Christians” (including Philippines for Jesus Movement, and Hijos del Nazareno) took offense, filing criminal cases because their religious feelings were “offended”.
The Philippines still has pro-religion laws, including Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code that penalizes “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows”; and Section 133 of the Revised Penal Code that prohibits performing acts “notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful”.
In a Twitter/X post, Drag Den showrunner Rod Singh stated that the latest arrest “stemmed from a complaint filed against them by three churches affiliated with the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM). The recommended bail is P360,000.”
Regarding the arrest of Pura Luka Vega today.
To those who would like to help Luka for their bail and legal fees, NAIA @brianblack_ will handle the donation drive. #DragIsArt #DragIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/OirKIGl1G7
— rod singh #DragDenPHS2 on Prime Video (@iamrodafrog) February 29, 2024
In a statement, Bahaghari Kamaynilaan stated that it “condemns the weaponization of the law against Pura and their right to freely express their relationship with faith through art.”
“Pura’s case is an attack on LGBTQI people’s expression on their relationship with faith and religion, but more than this, it is an attack on our democratic and Constitutionally protected rights which all too quickly vanish for LGBTQI Filipinos. In the Philippines where a national anti-discrimination law is absent, LGBTQI individuals are subject to gender-based violence — and Pura’s case exemplifies this reality,” the organization stressed.
Pura is now detained at the Sta. Cruz Police Station.
Only on February 26, three days before the latest arrest, Pura posted bail in Pasay City for six counts of violation of Article 201 “in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175”, this one due to the complaint filed by the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas.
Pura was earlier arrested on October 4, 2023 in Manila.
