Marcos vetoes bill naming Pampanga 鈥榗ulinary capital鈥�
OF FOOD AND PRIDE The Kapampangan tamales also known as “boboto” is featured in a food fair in this December 2017 photo. — CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Concerned about the sensitivity of other provinces that are also proud of their homegrown cuisine, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill that sought to declare Pampanga as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.”
In veto messages dated March 12 and addressed to the Senate and the House of Representatives, Mr. Marcos disapproved Senate Bill No. 2797 and House Bill No. 10634, citing several reasons.
“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 above-mentioned enrolled bill,” the President said.
“I look forward to more beneficial legislation that would highlight our unique culture without sacrificing our diversity,” he added.
Both passed on the final reading in 2024. SB 2797 and HB 10634 sought to bestow Pampanga such an official title and tasked mainly the Department of Tourism with promoting the province’s native dishes and delicacies.
Both bills included prominent Kapampangan lawmakers as authors—Sen. Lito Lapid for SB 2797 and former President and Pampanga second district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga third district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Pampanga fourth district Rep. Anna York Bondoc, and Pampanga first district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II for HB 10634.
Local ordinance claims title
In March 2024, the provincial government approved an ordinance that already conferred the title to Pampanga.
The ordinance noted the province had a “long uninterrupted reputation for being home to culinary talents—from the chefs who cooked for the Malolos Congress in Barasoain (Malolos, Bulacan) in 1898 to the chefs who prepared meals for the athletes of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.”
That month, the province also hosted an unprecedented two-day international conference on Kapampangan cuisine, complete with demos, an art exhibit, a food bazaar, and a bookfair.
‘Lack of historical basis’
As to the measure approved by the House and the Senate, the enrolled copy was sent to Malacañang for the President’s signature on Feb. 11. Under the Constitution, the President may veto a bill within 30 days upon receipt.
In his two-page veto message, Mr. Marcos said he sincerely appreciated the lawmakers’ efforts to recognize Pampanga’s contributions to the country’s rich culinary history.
It cannot be denied that Pampanga is “celebrated for its diverse and flavorful dishes, traditional cooking methods, and a strong culture of food innovation,” he said. “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 said.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Malacañang press officer Claire Castro further explained Mr. Marcos’ veto.
“The bill is well intentioned, but it might create discrimination,” Castro said.
“Our regions have their own cultures and excel in their own way. If one region is picked and labeled as having the most delicious dishes, some people, especially foreigners, might think that it is the only region worth visiting in the Philippines because it has the best and most mouth-watering local food,” she added.
