President “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. just vetoed Senate Bill No. 2797, a bill that declares Pampanga as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.” The bill was authored by Sen. Lito Lapid and submitted last August 2024 and, was approved on third and final reading Monday, December 9, 2024.

In a letter that sent to the House of Representatives, Pres. Marcos Jr. cite that the bill “lacked a historical basis and key performance indicators to justify such declaration, warning that it could offend other provinces with similarly rich culinary traditions.” The President also said “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,”

He ended his letter stating that “All our culinary variations reflect the rich cultural diversity of a group of people scattered among the Philippine islands.”

You can read the full text of the letter below;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

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.

As such, pursuant to Section 27(1), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, I am returning herewith without my signature the enrolled Senate Bill No. 2797/House Bill No. 10634, entitled:

“AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA AS THE ‘CULINARY CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES.”

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.

In consideration of the possibility that the enrolled bill may cause negative cultural implications, discrimination, regional bias, and loss of diversity, I am constrained to veto the abovementioned Enrolled Bill. Either way, I extend my unwavering support to the leadership of both Houses of Congress for working in unison with the Executive and I look forward to more beneficial legislation that would highlight our unique culture without sacrificing our diversity.

Source; PNA, @inquirerdotnet