‘Jesus’ drag artist snubs hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Drag artist Pura Luka Vega was a no-show during the Sept. 8 preliminary hearing of the criminal case filed against him by Black Nazarene devotees before the Manila prosecutor’s office.

Vega is facing a complaint for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions as well as indecent shows.”

The Hijos del Nazareno-Central filed the case following the viral “Ama Namin” performance by Vega, which religious groups have denounced as blasphemous.

The prosecutor scheduled another hearing on the Sept. 15, according to Alex Irasga, adviser of the Hijos del Nazareno Central.

On Sept. 8, Vega posted a photo on Instagram while in drag and posing in front of a building carrying the sign “Department of Justice,” with a location tagged as “Hall of Justice Quezon City.”

Vega wrote a caption on the photo, saying, “Let me reiterate that Drag is NOT a crime.”

Vega is also facing complaints for violating the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act filed by the Philippines for Jesus Movement before a Quezon City court.