US action star here to endorse GMA

Popular Hollywood action star and martial arts expert Steven Seagal expressed support yesterday for President Arroyo’s bid to secure a full six-year term in the elections on Monday.

Seagal told reporters he is convinced that Mrs. Arroyo is the best candidate in the five-cornered presidential derby.

Asked if action stars like him can be good presidents, Seagal replied, "I know governors can’t" in an apparent dig at fellow action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who ran and won in the gubernatorial elections in California last year.

However, he added that former US president Ronald Reagan, who started out as a B-movie actor and was twice elected president, "was a pretty good one."

"But I really think it depends on the situation. I don’t mean to take sides but I’m really a very big fan of (Mrs. Arroyo) at the moment," Seagal said.

"I have actually followed her from the beginning and I told my friends in America that I like her. I have a lot of friends here who have always told me that they like her, so even though I have not met her, I feel that she’s very good," the visiting actor.

Seagal arrived in the country Sunday night and was brought to Malacañang yesterday by his American and Japanese friends, producers of a movie they plan to shoot in the Philippines soon. However, he failed to see Mrs. Arroyo, who was out on campaign sorties.

Seagal was accompanied to the Palace by official presidential campaign spokesman Michael Defensor, administration senatorial candidate Richard Gordon, and Tourism Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan.

Saying he is personally not into politics, Seagal described himself as a "very spiritual man" and one who "devotes his life to God and to the service of God and art and spirituality."

"I don’t want to be a politician," he said.

The 6’5" tall Seagal said he has been to the Philippines several times, enough to know the latest developments in the country — including the presidential elections set on Monday.

Asked if he specifically came to the Philippines to endorse Mrs. Arroyo, Seagal laughed and said, "All I can say is I came here to discuss with my long-time friend who is right here and also the possibility of making a movie and releasing my album here."

"But I’m also a big fan of the President. You know I’ve never met her. But... my impression of her is she’s very straight up, sincere and honest, really talented... and I hope she gets re-elected," he added.

Seagal could not say what movie he will shoot in the country but noted that he has plans to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination.

"I’m here and also a big fan of the Philippines! To promote the Philippines would be an honor," he said.

Seagal also said he was "not really concerned" about reports of terrorist activities in the country, citing that he came here to plan possible movie locations.

"I’m concerned for all people, that no one would be harmed. I’m a lover of peace and I would love it if there could be resolution of all these things," he said.

Seagal, who had appeared in a local television commercial for a brand of local rhum in the past, said he welcomes the idea of having Filipino actors and actresses in his movie.

"They say there are many beautiful Filipino women here so I’d like to put them in the movie," he wisecracked.