MANILA, Philippines?Senator Francis ?Chiz? Escudero was not completely abandoning the idea of seeking the Senate presidency although he said he was not ?actively? pursuing it.

?I don?t intend and I have not actively pursued it,? Escudero said at a press conference.

But asked if he was ready to take the challenge if there would be a number to elect him for the post, the senator said he would think about it.

?I will think about it as it?s not yet in my plan. And it?s not part of my plan this year or until my term ends in 2013. Again I am not actively pursuing it,? he said.

At least 13 votes are needed by a senator to get the highest Senate post.

Escudero was not ruling out the possibility that Aquino?s rival in the presidential race, Senator Manny Villar, would seek to regain the Senate presidency.

Villar was the Senate president before he was forced to resign after losing the support of his colleagues. He was replaced by incumbent Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.

?If Villar becomes the Senate president, I hope there will be a good working relationship. It will be for the highest interest of the country not to derail the legislative agenda,? said Escudero.

But the right time to discuss this issue, he said, would be after June 30 or after the proclamation of all new elected officials of government.