Philippines: More local governments declare drag queen Pura Luka Vega "persona non grata"

More local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines have declared drag queen Pura Luka Vega "persona non grata" after he dared other localities to do the same for Jesus' actions.

Calapan City and Oriental Mindoro province joined the list on Tuesday, August 29, according to city councilor Ronalee Leachon, in an exchange of messages.

In a resolution she filed and which was passed in Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro province, Leachon said, "The province is a Christian believer and appreciating any Christian individual to show respect at all times to the originality, sanctity, and holiness of the Lord’s Prayer, the ‘Ama Namin’ or ‘Our Father’.

Mr. Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as "Pura Luka Vega", 33, residing in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, has "gained widespread attention due to a video that went viral (since last month), depicting his dance routine at a bar," said Leachon.

In the video, "he portrayed Jesus of Nazareth while dancing to a remixed version of the ‘Ama Namin’, thereby causing offense not only to Catholics but also to the whole Christian Faith and/or other Christian denomination, and his action is intolerable, divisive, and not conducive to promoting respect for our cultural diversity and well-endeared religious beliefs and traditions," said Leachon.

"Despite repeated demands for a public apology, the person shows no remorse and continues to justify their actions, and as a result, many LGUs condemn these actions," said Leachon.

She filed the same resolution on August 24 with the provincial board, where she is also a member, in her capacity as president of the League of Councilors.

Lawyer Roland Ruga, also a member of the provincial board, said they consolidated her resolution in the letter request of Governor Humerlito Dolor dated August 27 for SP to pass said resolution. 

On August 29, the 53rd session of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed a resolution declaring the drag artist "persona non grata".

"As public officials, it is our responsibility to promote sensible and prudent expression of art in Oriental Mindoro. We must dissuade artistic expressions offensive to social, religious, and cultural values," said Dolor.

"It is also our duty to uphold the respect and dignity accorded to religious beliefs and traditions," he said.

As previously reported, Pura has been declared persona non grata in the following localities: General Santos City, Floridablanca in Pampanga Province, Laguna Province, Manila, Bukidnon, Toboso in Negros Occidental Province, Nueva Ecija, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, Occidental Mindoro, Dinagat Islands, Lucena, Mandaue, Bohol, Marikina City, Palawan, Calapan City, and Oriental Mindoro.

Palawan province board member Winston Arzaga, who authored a similar resolution, said the declaration only implies the person is unwanted and not wanted in the locality but does not ban the person from traveling from one locality to another.

Meanwhile, the drag queen is asking the public for donations after being sued by several religious leaders for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes "immoral doctrines, obscene publications, exhibitions, and indecent shows."

The penal code provides that the penalty of prison mayor or a fine ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed.

But other expenses, like travel, are projected by the drag artist. 

He believes there was nothing wrong with what he did, but it was only self-expression. - Madonna T.  Virola