MANILA, Philippines -- Although welcoming the suggestion of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to go vegetarian in the face of the food crisis, Malacañang said on Thursday it could not impose such a diet on the public.

A person’s diet is “a matter of choice” that depends on one’s physical makeup, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

He cited Philippine Information Agency chief Conrado Limcaoco, a member of the Cabinet and a practicing vegetarian.

Asked what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's reaction to the call might be, Buney said: "The President is one who believes in the freedom of choice."

As for himself, Bunye said his first choice would be vegetables, then fish, and meat last.

In a letter to Arroyo, PETA's Asia-Pacific director Jason Baker said the world is growing enough crops to feed every human being, but food that could be used to nourish starving people was fed instead to billions of chickens, pigs, and cows slaughtered for their flesh.

PETA also noted the numerous health benefits of kicking the meat habit, including fewer heart attacks, decreased cancer rates, and smaller waistlines.