Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri during the “Kapihan sa Senado” forum on June 29, 2023. (Photo from the Office of the Senate President and Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday condemned “in the strongest possible terms” drag queen Pura Luka Vega’s now-viral performance while singing along to ‘Ama Namin’ remix in a local bar.
The Senate leader called the act “extremely blasphemous” and “offensive.”
“In my opinion, this is the height of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity,” Zubiri said in a statement.
“It offends the sensibilities of our Christian brothers and sisters, deeply demeans the faith of millions of Filipinos, and dangerously scales the boundaries of protected speech and expression,” he emphasized.
According to Zubiri, a criminal charge can be filed against Vega under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.
“We urge the authorities to look into this matter. Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code punishes those who offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place,” the lawmaker stressed.
He added authorities are still “tracing” the venue of the performance.
Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday likewise criticized the controversial performance.
He described this as “blasphemous.”
Vega, on the other hand, clarified she was not trying to demean religion through her act.
She explained she was “very careful when she [performed] because she doesn’t want it to come across as something that’s very offensive.”
“But then again, it’s still taken as something that’s very offensive. Was it offensive because I am a queer individual or was it [due to] other factors?” Vega asked.
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