Manila city council declares drag artist persona non grata

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila city council declared Pura Luka Vega a “persona non grata” in the city during a session on Tuesday, condemning the drag artist’s impersonation of Jesus in performances.

All 26 councilors who attended the session, which was presided by Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto and Majority Floor Leader Jong Isip, approved the resolution proposed by District 5 Councilor Ricardo Isip Jr. to have Vega – real name Amadeus Fernando Pagente – proclaimed unwelcome in Manila for performances portraying the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church, which the lawmakers believe is a symbol of the city.

Earlier, the councils of General Santos City and the municipalities of Floridablanca in Pampanga and Toboso in Negros Occidental passed similar resolutions.

Vega is facing a complaint by the Philippines for Jesus Movement filed in Quezon City for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Article 201 punishes persons who perform “indecent or immoral” acts “whether live or in film” that “offend any race or religion.”