Manila, March 20 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill that sought to declare Pampanga as the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines."

In a letter to the House of Representatives dated March 12, Marcos explained that while Pampanga's culinary contributions are widely recognized, officially designating it as the country's culinary capital could undermine the diversity of Philippine cuisine.

"It cannot be denied that Pampanga is celebrated for its diverse and flavorful dishes, traditional cooking methods, and a strong culture of food innovation," Marcos said in his veto message.

"This is consistent with the policy of the government to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resou...