Authorities in the Philippines are investigating a drag queen over a controversial skit in which she dressed up as Jesus while singing a rock remix of 'The Lord's Prayer'.

Senators and religious officials in the largely Catholic Southeast Asian country were furious over a video of crossdresser Pura Luka Vega performing the 'blasphemous' number in front of a cheering crowd at a bar in Manila on July 9.

Footage shows the man wearing a long beard and a crown with three golden rays as they lipsynced, danced, and banged to the re-arranged church song. Another drag queen also mimed strumming a rock guitar while the audience sang in unison with the music.

The performance has sparked debates over the limits of freedom of expression, with critics calling for Pura Luka to face legal charges.

Speaking to local media, Father Jerome Secillano, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said: 'The religious elements or sacred elements of religion are not used for secular purposes. We saw in the dancing, merrymaking, performance, the people were screaming and taking videos.

'It's bordering on profanity also and even blasphemous, sacrilegious. That is the prayer taught by Christ himself, so it should not be used lightly in dancing or entertaining people.

'Freedom of expression is not absolute. If you're adversely affecting the other party, then you should tone down yourself.'

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri in a statement urged authorities to probe the drag routine, which he said possibly violated the Revised Penal Code.

He said: 'Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code punishes those who offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.'

Guilty offenders may be imprisoned for up to six years and fined between 20,000 PHP to 200,000 PHP (367 to 3675 USD).

Senator Risa Hontiveros, a proponent of gender equality rights in the conservative nation, said in a statement that she found the drag performance 'regrettable', but cautioned against using it to deny the LGBTQIA+ community of their rights and protections.

Meanwhile, Pura Luka apologised for offending residents with his performance but maintained that it was a personal form of expression.

Pura said: 'I feel like they want me to apologize, but I apologise if it made them uncomfortable, but I really did that performance as a way for me to kind of heal the exclusion I have experienced as a Catholic, as a queer person being somewhat being made to feel that I don't really belong.'

In a statement online, he added: 'I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable. However, they shouldn't tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights.'

The Philippines has the third largest Catholic population in the world, following Brazil and Mexico. The church wields great influence over the state's politics, blocking key policies such as contraception, sex education, and anti-discrimination against the LGBT community which are seen to contradict religious beliefs.