Pura Luka Vega arrested anew for controversial 'Ama Namin' performance
Drag artist Puka Luka Vega was arrested again on Thursday, Feb. 29 after three churches filed another complaint for their viral Ama Namin performance.
Drag Den Philippines director Rod Singh announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the Quezon City court issued Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, a warrant of arrest early on Thursday, Feb. 29 for three counts of Violation of Article 201 (immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) concerning section 6 of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 with a recommended bail worth P360,000.
Regarding the arrest of Pura Luka Vega today.
— rod singh #DragDenPHS2 on Prime Video (@iamrodafrog) February 29, 2024
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
According to Singh, Vega’s arrest was made after “three churches affiliated with the Philippines For Jesus Movement” filed a complaint for three counts of the said crime for their viral Ama Namin performance in July 2023.
A few days before this, Singh said that Vega had posted bail on Monday, Feb. 26 worth P720,000 for six counts of the same crime in Pasay City after Kapisanan ng Social Media Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) filed a complaint in October 2023.
Vega made headlines in July 2023 after they performed a remix of Ama Namin, the central prayer of the Catholic Church, at a club.
Many netizens took the drag artist to task, with some calling it "offensive" and "blasphemous."
Since the controversial performance, Vega has been declared persona non grata over time in 17 Philippine municipalities, including, General Santos City; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Laguna; City of Manila; Bukidnon Province; Toboso, Negros Occidental; Nueva Ecija; Cebu City; Cagayan De Oro City; Occidental Mindoro; Dinagat Islands; and Coron, Palawan.
The drag artist was first arrested in Manila in October 2023 and released on bail a few days later.
In late December 2023, one of the seven cases filed against them was dismissed.
Speaking with PhilSTAR L!fe, Vega previously addressed the controversy surrounding the clip when it first went viral, emphasizing that they did not intend to offend people with their act.
"I understand the sentiments, and I think they’re valid but as an artist, the perception of my art is beyond my control. However, my intent is clear and does not mean to offend," they said.
"It’s my way of expressing my faith, odd as it may seem. I deliberately chose Ama Namin for the message—a message of hope for the oppressed, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community," they added.