Pura Luka Vega acquitted by Manila RTC
Pura Luka Vega, also known as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been acquitted by the Manila Regional Trial Court.
In a 20-page decision dated June 10, the Manila RTC Branch 184 acquitted the artist of charges of violating Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).
Article 201 penalizes "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows."
Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva penned the decision.
'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 for violation Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Republic Act 10175," the ruling read.
On X (formerly Twitter), Pura Luka Vega also shared this part of the ruling and said 'Thank you for this wonderful news."
"One more case left. Laban lang,' the drag artist added.
Thank you for this wonderful news. ???? One more case left. Laban lang. ???????? pic.twitter.com/ac4IeA0CQ8 — Pura Luka Vega ???? (@puralukavega) June 10, 2025
In its ruling, the Manila court said, 'Though the prosecution fell short of the required quantum of proof in the prosecution of the criminal case, the Court takes this opportunity to remind Pura Luka to be circumspect in his choice of medium or subject of his performances as a drag artist taking into account the society he belongs to. It is basic in the concept of social coexistence."
'This is not to curtail his freedom or rights nor to regulate his acts to belong to a presumed majority but more to be compassionate on the community as a whole, especially with the accessibility of social media which makes it easy to record, upload and circulate materials which are readily available for consumption of the public," it added.
The court also ordered the release of the bond amounting to P72,000 that Pura Luka Vega posted for their provisional liberty.
In August 2023, the Hijos Del Nazareno, devotees of the Black Nazarene, filed a complaint against Pura Luka Vega over their viral "Ama Namin" drag performance, while dressed in Jesus Christ's likeness back in July 2023.
In their complaint, the group said the artist's "acts and actuations constitute a direct attack on our Lord, our God and savior, Jesus Christ."
In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online in July 2023, the artist said that their "intent was to embody a version of Christ that is one with the queer audience."In August 2023,
In October of that year, Luka was arrested after complaints were filed against them due to the same viral performance. They were also declared persona non grata in various cities like Manila, Cebu City, General Santos City, Laguna, and many more.
Their fellow drag artists mounted a fundraising show to help with the bail and raised P892,975.60 in donations. Luka was released on bail after three days in jail.
In December 2023, Luka celebrated the dismissal of "at least one" case filed against them.—Nika Roque/CDC/VBL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
Fake TNVS agent nabbed in Taguig
A fake agent of transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) was arrested in an entrapment operation in Taguig City, the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said on Tuesday. HPG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang said the suspect was arrested in Barangay Cembo on Monday. The suspect was asking victims for up to P25,000 for a temporary permit to operate a TNVS vehicle, according to Malang. A total of 13 similar complaints were lodged at the HPG. The HPG is looking at large-scale estafa as the possible complaint that will be filed against the suspect. 'We are still targeting na masampahan siya ng large-scale estafa kasi kung talagang estafa case lang, isang complainant lang,' Malang told reporters in an interview. (We are still targeting to charge him with large-scale estafa because if it is only an estafa case, there is only one complainant.) 'Muli, may 12 na tayong additional complainant para magsampa ng kaso para hindi na makapag-bail ito pong tao na ito kasi kung siya ay makakapagpiyansa muli, magkakaroon na naman ng pagkakataon na manloko,' he added. (Again, we have 12 additional complainants to file a case so that this person will not be able to bail because if he is able to bail again, there will be another opportunity for him to commit the crime.) Authorities are investigating if the suspect has accomplices and if they belong to a bigger group. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Man pursues thieves of his motorcycle on foot in Calumpit, Bulacan
Six motorcycle-riding men stole the motocycle of a man, who was waiting for his girlfriend, in Calumpit, Bulacan early Monday morning, according to the report of Nico Waje on "Saksi." The victim said one of the suspects aimed a gun to his head, who asked for his cellphone and told him that they are taking his motorcycle. The victim ran after the thieves and threw a stone at the suspects and hit one of the men. The police tracked his motorcycle through its GPS and found it in Barangay Sta. Cruz in Quezon City. Calumpit Station Police Chief Lt. Col. Jonathan Meru said they found the motorcycle in a house and the mechanic who was tasked to disassemble the vehicle. Two of the six suspects were nabbed. The victim also identified one of them as the one who aimed a gun at him and took his motorcycle. Waje reported that the police said there were some parts of the motorcycle that were already replaced such as the brake lever and the seat. The owner identified the chassis number of the motorcycle, which was the same in the OR/CR that are in his possession. It was also found out that the seat of his motorcycle was placed in another unit. The police said this process is the modus of the thieves so the owners will not recognize their motorcycle and before they sell the units. The refurbished motorcycles are sold for about P40,000 and the sale is usually done online. The suspects - aged 18 and 23 - denied the accusations. Calumpit police said they have identified the four other suspects involved in the crime. They will be facing charges of carnapping and robbery. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
67-year-old woman assaulted by snatcher in Pampanga
A 67-year-old woman was dragged and kicked by a snatcher who stole her bag last in Barangay San Agustin in San Fernando, Pampanga recently. According to the report of GMA Regional TV's CJ Torida in '24 Oras' on Tuesday, the incident was caught on a security camera last May 24. CCTV footage showed the suspect following the victim from behind until he attempted to snatch her belongings. The two struggled with the victim's bag which, causing the woman to fall and be dragged on the road. The suspect then kicked the victim before running away with her valuables. 'She said in her statement that she was on her way home after visiting a friend when someone snatched her bag,' said Police Major Don Kenneth Asuncion, Sub-Station 2 Commander of City of San Fernando Police Station in Tagalog. Nearby residents tried to run after the suspect who managed to flee along with jewelry and around P3,000 cash inside the bag. Police said they have identified the suspect, who goes by the alias 'Rambo', and could be hiding somewhere in the towns of Lubao or Porac. The suspect is considered a notorious snatcher and was linked to several robbery cases of several houses in San Fernando. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
