Ready why BBM vetoed the bill declaring Pampanga as the culinary capital of the Philippines

The veto explained:

«Please allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to both Houses of Congress in their efforts to craft a bill which aims to declare the Province of Pampanga as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines in recognition of its contribution to the dynamic and rich culinary history of the country. It cannot be denied that Pampanga is celebrated for its diverse and flavorful dishes, traditional cooking methods, and a strong culture of food innovation. This is consistent with the policy of the government to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.

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.»

The President adds:

«The Philippine culinary arts draws its origin from various cultures but displays regional characteristics. Our regions contribute their indigenous dishes with certain recipes that are best done in the areas of origin of their ingredients. All our culinary variations reflect the rich cultural diversity of a group of people scattered among the Philippine islands. Although the Filipino is derived from a common racial stock and a shared history that gave us our identity, our terrains and ethnic characteristics gave us certain differences.

I believe that one must travel our islands to identify the tastes and flavors that express our culture. Our regional variants and their recognizable nuances are what make the palette that is truly Filipino. All of our reputable culinary resources in the form of food literature and gastronomic professionals profess and celebrate the multitude and variety of our native recipes that are sourced from the different provinces and regions. Comparable to literature, visual arts, dance, or music, our culinary arts thrives in its diversity. This richness in terms of regional differences is the strength of our Filipino cuisine.