Philippine President Gloria Arroyo shrugged off assassination plots and political scandals Thursday to spend Valentines Day singing a duet with Richard Carpenter of "The Carpenters" fame.
Carpenter met with Arroyo at the presidential palace along with local singing star Claire de la Fuente.
After a brief chat Arroyo and Carpenter sang a duet together.
The US singer later told reporters that Arroyo "sang really well. Her voice sounded lovely and Claire's voice as well.
"The only one that didn't sound too good was mine," he joked without saying what they sang.
He compared Arroyo's voice to that of his late sister, Karen Carpenter, saying: "Karen always made those songs sound very simple to sing but they're not that simple."
Richard and Karen had numerous hits in the 1970s and 1980s as The Carpenters including "We've Only Just Begun" and "Top of the World". Karen died of anorexia in 1983.
Richard Carpenter arrived in the Philippines Thursday to attend the launching of De la Fuente's new album.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita later said Arroyo was in a good mood that was further lifted by the meeting with Richard Carpenter.
Earlier in the day, security officials said there were reports of an alleged plot by Muslim militants to assassinate Arroyo while opposition figures are planning a massive protest on Friday to call for her ouster over alleged corruption.
