Hinting that he is seriously considering running for higher office, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said Thursday he is waiting for a genuine clamor and solid commitment from the public before making a final decision for the 2010 national elections.

He said people wearing yellow ribbons would signify that the clamor is for real.

Aquino said that although he personally wants to remain a senator until 2013, he is ready to listen to any public clamor for him to seek a higher post and continue the legacy of his parents, martyr Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino.

“I’m preparing. But the only way it will become feasible is that if it becomes a people campaign. The mandate of the people must be there; that it is really the people’s clamor,” Noynoy told House reporters during a dinner Thursday night in Quezon City.

“Kung ambisyon ko lang ito, it would be pointless. Pero kung maraming nag-aambisyon ng patutunguhan natin, e certainty ‘yun. E kung ako naman ang magiging hadlang na mangyari ‘yung certainty ay hindi ako hahadlang. Pero kung solo ako, wala ‘yun, suntok sa buwan lang ‘yun,” he added.

Asked what will convince him to run, Noynoy said he has to make sure that the great number of people is committed to support his candidacy by wearing something yellow, particularly a yellow ribbon.

“Wear something yellow on your person, notes, with your IDs, panlagay sa bahay at sa sasakyan para mamapakita na marami tayo ditong umaasa at nagko-commit na babaguhin natin itong ating bayan,” he said.

He also welcomed the signature drive launched by supporters to convince him to make a run in 2010.

“That will help dahil meron naman talagang lumilikom, nagtitiyaga na huminto at pumirma. All of these manifestations taken together give you more confidence that it’s not a pipe dream,” he said.

Senator Aquino said his sisters – Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris – remain divided over the idea of his seeking higher office.

He earlier disclosed that Pinky and Viel are dead set against the idea while Ballsy is hesitant. Only his youngest sister Kris, an actress and TV host, has publicly announced she would support whatever he decides.

Noynoy, however, said he believes his family is ready to support him once they see a genuine clamor for him to continue what their parents have started.

“Ang pinaka-sensitive ako ay kapag naiyak ang nanay ko at mga kapatid ko. Paano kung bigla na sabay-sabay mag-iyakan ang apat na ito? Parang three-fourths of our lives have been devoted to this and we are no longer young, but now we have the most of our future ahead of us.

“Palagay ko naman pag nakitang talagang may clamor na mayroon talaga kaming obligasyon na kailangan tuparin ay hindi naman magkukulang ang mga kapatid ko,” Noynoy said.

Although he gave his strongest hint yet that he might run for higher office, Noynoy remained undecided whether he will go for the presidency or the vice presidency.

He said he will meet over the weekend with Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas, the anointed presidential candidate of the Liberal Party to which Noynoy belongs.

“Itong weekend mag-uusap kami (ni Mar). At the very least maumpisahan ‘yung buong proseso. Paano kaming hindi pwedeng mag-usap e siya ang party president at ako ‘yung executive vice (president) at saka ‘yung pangatlo sa amin, secretary general? Siya ‘yung hepe at kaming dalawa ‘yung soldiers,” Noynoy said.

There was a clamor within the LP for Noynoy to run for president after her mother died on August 1.

But some party officials continue to support Roxas and consider Noynoy a mere running-mate material.

Noynoy said several people and groups have given him until September 9, the 40th day of his mother’s death, to decide on his 2010 plans.