Photo credit: Pura Luka Vega
MANILA, Philippines — Another lawmaker has sharply criticized the controversial “Ama Namin” drag act, branding it “totally unacceptable” and “preposterous” in the eyes of both God and the law.
Sen. Joel Villanueva said on Friday that drag queen Pura Luka Vega’s performance, which featured an upbeat rendition of “Ama Namin,” also known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” was a blatant insult and an act of blasphemy against God.
“In the eyes of God and the law, this is totally unacceptable and preposterous. This disrespect and blasphemy towards our Lord should never be tolerated or allowed. It’s not art to make a mockery of God’s Word,” Villanueva said.
Echoing Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s sentiments, Villanueva said that acts meant to ridicule or mock faith are punishable under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.
“Not everything we want to express can be done on stage without any sense of responsibility. We won’t tolerate work that shows blatant disrespect. Legal responsibility is gender-neutral,” Villanueva said in Filipino.
Despite backlash from lawmakers and the public, Vega defended her act on Thursday, saying people shouldn’t dictate how she practices her faith. The drag queen had previously emphasized that she wasn’t attempting to mock or demean religion through her performance.
“I understand people are calling my performance blasphemous, offensive, or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t dictate how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance wasn’t for them to begin with. It’s my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights,” Vega tweeted.
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