Saying a post in the highest court in the land can wait, House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles has no intention of abandoning the speakership early and that he would only entertain the possibility of joining the judiciary as a Supreme Court justice after his term ends in June next year.

Nograles, who placed second in the 1971 bar exams and a former human rights lawyer, said he wants to enjoy the privilege of jointly proclaiming along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile the country’s next president and vice president after the canvassing of the votes cast in the 2010 elections.

Under the Constitution, Congress is mandated to become the National Board of Canvassers for the country’s top two positions.

“This is nice time to be Speaker because it is the Speaker and the Senate president who will have the honor to proclaim the next president of this republic because we act as national canvassers,” the first Speaker from Mindanao said.

“I want to enjoy that moment, isasagad ko na sana. Remember, in one hundred years, I am the first Speaker from Mindanao. That’s something one can be proud of,” he added.

The House leader said he would keep his options open until his third term as representative of Davao City’s first district expires next year.

“If you ask the lawyer in me, of course yes (but) only after my speakership; that is the time that I’ll think about it,” Nograles said when asked if he was interested to become a member of the high tribunal.