MANILA, Philippines - Malacanang senses political ?gimmickry? in Sen. Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III?s so-called spiritual retreat before he decides on whether to run for President next year.

Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesperson, said on Thursday that the senator should ?not just ride on sentimental support? in heeding the supposed clamor for him to seek the highest office in the land.

?We respect whatever gimmickry, whatever ways (he comes up with) on how he can arrive at a decision,? Anthony Golez, another spokesperson, said in a media briefing.

Golez was commenting on impressions that Aquino might only be playing hard-to-get before eventually announcing his presidential ambition.

Senator Mar Roxas, expected by many as the Liberal Party?s presidential bet, stepped aside last Tuesday after Aquino indicated that he, too, wanted to run for President.

With his place as the Liberal Party?s standard-bearer all but secured, Aquino turned anti-climactic and said he would go through a period of ?discernment? before taking the challenge.

He said his decision would not be made public until after the commemoration of the 40th day of his mother?s death.

Asked if the senator?s retreat was part of a political strategy, Golez said: ?That is correct.?

?If that is part of his spiritual strategy, then I can call it a strategy,? he said. ?Our leaders will always have forward planning and they think 10 steps ahead of us. It?s how they plan.?

Golez said the public should ?respect? Aquino?s decision to delay the announcement of his political plans in the 2010 elections.

?If that?s his character, if that?s the way he is, we have to respect that also,? he said.

But Golez said that Aquino, like other candidates, should be careful with people prodding them to run only to ?take advantage? of them.

The spokesperson expressed doubt on whether there was indeed a ?clamor? for the senator to run. He asked where the supposed demand was coming from.

Does this come from "people who dine with them every day? Those who are always with them wherever they go?? he asked in Filipino.

The idea of Aquino running for President was floated at the height of the public euphoria over the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, an icon of democracy in Asia.