DRAG artist Amadeus Fernando Pagente, more popularly known by her alias Pura Luka Vega, has been acquitted of cybercrime charges by Branch 184 of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).
In a 20-page decision released to the public, the RTC cited the prosecution’s failure to prove Pagente’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Pagente was charged under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code—pertaining to immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions—read in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).
However, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not meet the threshold to warrant conviction.
“Wherefore, premises considered, for failure of the prosecution to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, is hereby ACQUITTED…” stated the court.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) over a series of videos posted on Pagente’s TikTok account.
Among them was the viral 2023 performance where Pura Luka Vega appeared dressed as Jesus Christ while dancing to a remix of the “Ama Namin” (Our Father) prayer.
Also cited in the complaint was a video showing Pagente dancing while holding a sacred host and wearing a costume inspired by the Black Nazarene.
Pagente had previously defended these actions, claiming that it was her way of “actually praising God”.
In an exclusive interview with GMA, she said that it was her way of reconciling her Catholic faith with her queerness.
“People have weaponized the Bible to go against the LGBTQIA+ community, referencing scriptures to deny us basic human rights,” she said during the interview.
“I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God’s love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community,” she added.
This is another case dismissed, along with the other one from 2023. Pagente has yet to release a statement in light of her acquittal.
