President Marcos has vetoed the bill declaring Pampanga as the country's culinary capital to avoid discrimination.
"Maganda po kasi yung bill pero magke-create po kasi ito ng discrimination (The bill was good but it will create discrimination)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, March 20, when sought for explanation behind the President's veto on the bill.
Castro pointed out that every region has its own uniqueness, and declaring a single province or region to be a culinary capital would possibly confuse tourists, especially foreigners.
"Ang atin pong bawat rehiyon po ay may kanya kanyang kultura, may kanya kanyang kagalingan, kung lalabas po na may pipiliin po lang na isa lamang na rehiyon na parang siya po ang pinakamasarap, pinakamagaling, pinakamaganda, baka po maisip ng ibang tao, especially yung mga dayuhan na nais pumunta sa Pilipinas, isiping iisa lamang na rehiyon ang maaari nilang puntahan at sasabihing pinakamaganda at pinakamasarap na pagkain, na local food (Our every region has its own culture, own excellence, if we only choose one region that has the most delicious food, the best, the most beautiful, it may give an impression to other people, especially foreigners who want to visit the Philippines, that we can only offer a single region that is most beautiful and has the best local food)," Castro explained.
The Palace official stressed that the move of the President to veto the bill was not because he did not believe Pampanga offers the best food and culture.
"Kasi lahat po ng rehiyon ay may kanya kanya, may uniqueness na tinatawag so kaya po ito ay vineto (All regions have their own uniqueness that was why it was vetoed)," Castro said.
"Hindi naman para po hindi paniwalaan na masarap, o maganda ang kultura ng Pampanga pero para po kilalanin ang buong rehiyon, ang bawat rehiyon sa kanilang kagalingan (It was not because he did not believe that Pampanga has good food and beautiful culture, but it was to recognize that every region has their own uniqueness)," Castro added.
Asked if the same wisdom applies to other bills seeking to declare a province to be a capital of a certain aspect, the Palace press officer said, yes.
"Yes, opo kasi lahat po tayo sa bawat rehiyon po ay may kanya kanyang kagalingan (Yes, because every region excels on something)," Castro said.
In his veto messages sent to House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Marcos noted that while 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 that the Philippine culinary arts "draws its origin from various cultures."