Marcos vetoes bill declaring Pampanga as PH culinary capital

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has vetoed a proposed measure seeking to declare Pampanga province as the ''Culinary Capital of the Philippines.''

''However, while I recognize the noble intention of the authors, I cannot ignore the concerns regarding the declaration's lack of historical basis, the absence of a thorough study that shows key performance indicators for such designation, and the possibility that the bill may offend sensibilities in other provinces that are equally proud of their culinary contributions,'' Marcos said in his veto message.

In a separate briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the measure would be discriminatory if passed into law. 

On social media, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission Ivan Henares, expressed hope that "our Kabalens understand the wisdom behind this veto."

"It is not saying that Kapampangan cuisine is not good. It just acknowledges that in a nation as diverse as ours, no one region can claim to have the best food. What l've realized from travelling the country is that our diversity is our strength," wrote Henares who is also a commissioner at the National Commission for Culture & Arts.

"We should not be competing with each other for bragging rights and empty titles. Focus on sustainable programs, not just trivial things. Let's determine 'key performance indicators' and work towards those. That goal is best encapsulated by Chef Jam Melchor, 'ensuring a stronger, more sustainable future for Filipino food and the communities that bring it to life'," he added.