THE Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has acquitted a so-called drag queen on charges of alleged obscene and indecent performance that rasped into the sensibilities of Christian devotees.
The respondent, identified as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, alias Pura Luka Vega, was cleared for failure of the prosecution to provide sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Pagente was charged by the religious group Hijos del Nazareno for his controversial performance wearing a costume similar to the iconic Black Nazarene of the Quiapo Cathedral and using the Lord’s Prayer (Ama Namin) as background music.
The complaints were lodged against Pagente for alleged violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Pagente was earlier released on a P72,000-bail after the case was filed in 2023.
“In sum, Pura Luka’s performance may be disrespectful and offensive, but the prosecution fell short of proof that the same is unlawful under Article 201,” said RTC Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva stated in her ruling.
“The prosecution utterly failed to discharge the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt that the act complained of constitute an indecent or immoral play, scene, act or show which are proscribed by the penal code,” the decision stated.
A University of the Philippines art professor stood as witness for Pagente, saying art has no limitations.