MANILA, Philippines?Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has remained silent about his political plans despite the endorsement by Senator Mar Roxas should he decide to run for president in 2010.

In a text message, Aquino said he might issue a reply to Roxas' endorsement on Wednesday.

Roxas announced Monday he was no longer running for president in 2010 as he threw his support behind the candidacy of Aquino if he would decide to run for the highest post in the land.

Roxas is president of Liberal Party while Aquino is executive vice president of the party.

LP overall campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad said the party now considers Aquino as its standard bearer even if the latter has yet to decide whether or not to accept the challenge.

In withdrawing his presidential bid, Roxas did not say if he would consider running for vice president.

LP spokesman and Quezon Representative Erin Tanada said the courtesy of choosing the running mate would now be given to Aquino for approval by the party.

"That courtesy is given to the standard bearer for affirmation by the party," Tanada said.

At the same time, he said the LP was not ruling out Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who had declared his bid for presidency.

"Certainly. He (Pangilinan) is party member. That's part of the consideration. We can't ignore that," Abad said.

Abad noted, however, that Pangilinan had made a statement that he would also give up his candidacy if Roxas would give way to Aquino.