CEBU CITY – Controversial drag artist Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, has been declared as persona non grata in the province of Bohol, one of the top tourist destinations in Central Visayas.
Bohol is the second local government unit (LGU) in Central Visayas to declare Pagente an unwanted person over his controversial “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer) performance.
Cebu City was the first LGU in Region 7 to impose a persona non grata tag on Pagente.
Cebu and Bohol were just among the several LGUs to come up with such a declaration on Pagente.
In a resolution penned by Board Member Tommy Abapo, the provincial board of Bohol said that portrayal of religious figures in a manner that is disrespectful or offensive to the religious sentiments of individuals and communities is not conducive to promoting harmony and mutual respect.
“The province of Bohol values its diverse population and aims to uphold respect for all religious beliefs, traditions, and practices,” the resolution said.
The legislative body clarified that the declaration against Pagente is not intended to limit or infringe upon his rights.
Abapo pointed out that declaring Pagente as persona non grata is a form of expressing the body’s “strong disapproval of actions that promote disrespect and disharmony within the community.”
Pagente has also been declared persona non grata in several areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.