By Al Jacinto, Correspondent

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd on Friday privately met with the Carmelite Sisters in Zamboanga City in southern Mindanao to seek spiritual advice on whether he would seek the presidency in next year’s elections. The only son of late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and late former Sen. Benigno
“Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was guarded by members of the local police Special Weapons and Tactics team, when he arrived around 9 a.m. at the monastery of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. She was met by Sister Edilla Teresa Ratilla and Sister Mary Gloria Limbaga.

The monastery was where Noynoy’s mother Cory went for a retreat in 1985 before she decided to run for president against then strongman President Ferdinand Marcos.

Yellow ribbons were tied around street poles and trees outside and inside the monastery. The yellow motif was used by Cory and the political opposition during the campaign in the 1986 snap elections called by Marcos.

The Carmelite nuns gave Noynoy a prayer pamphlet before leading him to a room where the senator met with Sister Agnes Guillen, the monastery’s prioress.

“The meeting is private, we cannot allow the media in and we hope you understand,” the prioress told The Manila Times before the meeting.

Aquino was in Davao City, also in Mindanao, on Thursday and also met with supporters there. He then flew to this city for a spiritual retreat and to seek guidance from the nuns on popular clamor for him to run in the 2010 balloting. Next year’s polls will pick President Gloria Arroyo’s successor.

At the monastery, Noynoy held a closed-door meeting with the nuns for about two hours and came out for a brief smoke and then prayed at the monastery’s chapel before eating lunch with the Carmelite sisters.

“I thank all those who are supporting me,” he said, but it was unknown whether he would pursue the presidency.

Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd of the Liberal Party, who earlier said he would seek the presidency, backed out Wednesday in favor of Noynoy, also of the party.