By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The local government unit of Toboso in Negros Occidental declared Pura Luka Vega, who was behind the controversial “Ama Namin” drag performance, as persona non grata during its regular session held on Tuesday, August 1.

Board member Richard Jaojoco said Municipal Council Resolution 146 serves as a reminder that disrespectful practices towards religion are not tolerated in their town.

He added the resolution will also serve as a warning against individuals who insult religious symbols.

The declaration was in relation to Vega’s controversial performance last month — wherein the drag queen dressed up as the Black Nazarene and made the Lord’s Prayer into a rock remix — which sowed anger from religious groups and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community.

Earlier, BANAAG LGBT Inc. slammed Vega for disrespecting the Black Nazarene, a revered figure of Jesus Christ.

Jonathan Diaz Jr., the group vice president, has also expressed concern that Vega’s actions could further worsen the discrimination against the LGBT community, and the House of Representatives may have been irked by making the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Bill more difficult.

Vega remains unapologetic, claiming that her performance was a “tribute to God.”

The drag queen’s video also resurfaced, showing her disrespecting the Holy Eucharist, which further inflamed the Catholic and Christian communities.

On Monday, July 31, the religious organization, Philippines for Jesus Movement filed a criminal complaint against Vega for alleged violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012./DGB, WDJ