THE Cagayan de Oro City Council on Monday, August 14, 2023, unanimously passed Resolution 2023-478, declaring drag artist Pura Luka Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, as persona non grata for his "serious disrespect and mockery of the Christian faith."
In a recent viral video of Vega, the drag artist was seen portraying himself as the Black Nazarene dancing the remixed version of the Catholic song Ama Namin (Our Father).
Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, the resolution's principal author, said Vega is violating the law and offending the faithful's feelings, saying that he is "not a person with dignity."
Councilor Girlie Balaba, who was in favor of the resolution, said the multiple declaration of persona non grata is a consequence of Vega disrespecting the Catholic faith.
"Just to let her know nga not everything na you want to do, you can do. Naa tay freedom of expression, pero sa atoang freedom naay limitation (We have freedom of expression but there is a limitation to that)," Balaba said.
"Naka offend sya sa Catholic faith so iya pud i-own up ang consequences (He offended the Catholic faith, so he should face the consequences)," she added.
Balaba also advised other drag queens to be sensitive to the beliefs and faith of the people.
At present, Vega is considered unwelcome in Laguna, Nueva Ecija, General Santos, Manila City, Bukidnon, Toboso in Negros Occidental, and Floridablanca in Pampanga.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, in a February 2020 legal opinion, said that "persona non grata" is simply a declaration of the sentiment or opinion of the lawmaking body. This means that Pura can still enter the municipality or city that declared him unwelcome, according to abogado.com.
The 1987 Constitution also guarantees the right to travel except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.