MANILA, Philippines?Chief Justice Reynato Puno sees himself as the president -- not of the country -- but of his household when he steps down from the Supreme Court in 2010.

In a chance interview with reporters, Puno admitted on Tuesday he was being wooed (he did not say by whom) to run for President in 2010, the year of his retirement.

But he said he was not open to the idea and has not been convinced to entertain thoughts of a political career.

"Don na lang ako sa bahay (I will just stay at home)," he quipped.

When pressed about who has been wooing him, he just repeated that he was "already president of his home and this post is not up for grabs."

"Mas malakas yung panliligaw ng mga apo ko eh (My grandchildren are better at wooing me). I'm the president of the household, permanent president," he said, laughing.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn earlier raised the possibility of Puno donning another hat as President of the Philippines.

Hagedorn was quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report as saying that since the chief justice did not answer "yes" or "no" to the question of whether he would consider the presidency, there was a possibility that the answer would be a "yes."

"Who knows, the Chief Justice may well be the man we need to bring real greatness to this country," Hagedorn said.

Asked earlier whether he would consider the presidency, Puno was quoted as replying, "To be president is destiny."

In 2007, Puno declined calls to head a caretaker government. The Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (Nationalist Economy Movement), which has academics and Catholic bishops among its members, made the proposal as it called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign and set up a transition junta.

In refusing the role, Puno said the judiciary should be spared from political talk because it was handling cases with political dimensions.

He said he was humbled by the request, but would rather stay out of politics and remain in the judiciary.