Josh
05-04-2004, 05:34 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Hollywood action star Steven Seagal (news) made headlines here Tuesday by supporting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (news - web sites) in an upcoming election.
The actor visited the presidential palace to discuss shooting a movie in the Philippines, but ended up rooting for Arroyo — giving her campaign a bit of the star appeal that thus far has been the advantage of her political opponents.
Arroyo was away on the campaign trail, but Seagal described himself as "a big fan of the president."
"I've never met her, but my impression of her is that she's very straight, sincere, honest, really talented president, and I hope she gets re-elected," newspapers quoted Seagal as saying on Monday.
The statement drew criticism from the opposition, ABS-CBN TV reported.
Arroyo's rival, Fernando Poe Jr., is a local movie legend, and so is Arroyo's predecessor, former President Joseph Estrada (news - web sites), who was ousted in "people power" protests in January 2001.
Seagal, 53, said actors can make good political leaders, citing former President Ronald Reagan (news) as his example.
"Reagan was a pretty good one, but I think it really depends on the situation," he said.
The actor visited the presidential palace to discuss shooting a movie in the Philippines, but ended up rooting for Arroyo — giving her campaign a bit of the star appeal that thus far has been the advantage of her political opponents.
Arroyo was away on the campaign trail, but Seagal described himself as "a big fan of the president."
"I've never met her, but my impression of her is that she's very straight, sincere, honest, really talented president, and I hope she gets re-elected," newspapers quoted Seagal as saying on Monday.
The statement drew criticism from the opposition, ABS-CBN TV reported.
Arroyo's rival, Fernando Poe Jr., is a local movie legend, and so is Arroyo's predecessor, former President Joseph Estrada (news - web sites), who was ousted in "people power" protests in January 2001.
Seagal, 53, said actors can make good political leaders, citing former President Ronald Reagan (news) as his example.
"Reagan was a pretty good one, but I think it really depends on the situation," he said.