PAMPANGA -- Governor Eddie Panlilio has accepted the task of finding a candidate to run against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in case she runs for a position in the 2010 elections.

Panlilio is set to take his oath as Liberal Party (LP) member and provincial chair on Thursday at the LP Command Center and Headquarters in Quezon City.

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The priest-governor said that his "first order of business" is to look for a candidate to be fielded against President Arroyo if she runs for congresswoman in the second district "or any position she will run for in Pampanga."

Arroyo made 47 visits in her home province this year, sparking speculations that she is seeking to run for congresswoman in next year’s political exercises.

Arroyo’s son, Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, is the incumbent congressman in the district.

Earlier, University of the Philippines Professor Randy David said that he would run against President Arroyo if she enters the congressional race in the second district of the province.

It was not known, however, if David is being considered as possible LP candidate in the position.

Panlilio, meanwhile, said he accepted the LP invitation to become the "focal person and chief mediating officer" in the selection of LP candidates in Pampanga after almost a week of thinking the matter over.

He said he was personally invited to be the party's provincial chairman by Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat Jr. and LP campaign leaders Butch Abad and Chito Gascon recently.

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, LP standard bearer, earlier said that those initially considered to the position are Panlilio, Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, and City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Panlilio said he decided to join LP as most of his friends in the Kaya Natin Movement, a group of politicians and intellectuals advocating for good governance, are members of the party.

"We all know that Lakas-Kampi is strong in Pampanga and we want to place LP members to make the party strongly felt in Pampanga," Panlilio said.

The priest-governor will also be responsible for coordinating all LP movements in the province, as well as for the selection of possible candidates for the 2010 general elections.

Panlilio said that despite his joining the LP, he has yet to decide on his own political career. He said negotiations are underway to look for a potential candidate to take his post as governor in 2010.

He hinted though that if in case civic leaders and non-government groups are not able to find a suitable candidate, "I might be forced to run again."

A source told Sun.Star Pampanga that bishops in the province are now being consulted to give Panlilio another chance to run for governor.

Archbishop Paciano Aniceto earlier gave Panlilio a three-year suspension when he won as governor in 2007. Precondition for the suspension is that Panlilio would return to his priestly ministry after his term.

Panlilio said that in case a candidate is selected to run for governor, he would not readily return to the priesthood.

"I would return after the elections. And during the elections, I would surely campaign vigorously for LP," Panlilio said. (Ian Ocampo Flora of Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)