PASAY CITY -- If Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III would have his way, he wants to see Governor Eddie Panlilio, Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao, and San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez united under the party.

Aquino made this statement on Tuesday amid declarations of Panlilio that he has accepted the invitation of the LP to be the provincial chairperson in Pampanga.

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Panlilio, Guiao and Rodriguez were among those initially considered to take the LP provincial chairmanship.

Anyone among the three is "acceptable," according to Aquino.

He, however, clarified that he would still have to check with his party mates if they have already decided "with finality" on Panlilio's appointment.

"I just came back from previous appointments and I still need to check on this. But I have been telling my party mates that any of the three are acceptable to me," Aquino told Sun.Star in an exclusive interview.

But Aquino said the three Kapampangan officials should be united even if only one of them is selected as LP chairman here.

"If we have them all together (Guiao, Oca and Panlilio) so much the better. When Mar (Roxas) sacrificed, what was the message? It would be that we want to bring the sincerity in governance in the country," Aquino said, stressing that all three politicians should shed political differences aside if they are joining LP.

In a phone interview with Rodriguez, he said he is optimistic of the idea since it is "ideal" for Pampanga.

"It is a good idea since the people of Pampanga would be the first to benefit. For me, it would not be a difficult," he said.

Rodriguez, however, said it would be a "bit" difficult on the part of Panlilio to unite with Guiao.

Rodriguez has not yet shifted to the LP and is still a part of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao also said that Rodriguez has not yet shifted to LP. "They were inviting him (Oca) but we have not yet decided on the matter. We are thinking about it carefully."

For his part, Panlilio told Sun.Star Tuesday that it would be "a difficult task" to unite with Guiao. "Vice Governor Guiao and I do not meet eye to eye, and with all the things that happened it would be difficult."

However, Panlilio said he is open for talks with Guiao. He said he would always bring the interest of good governance first in his dealings as provincial chair.

Sun.Star tried to get Guiao's comment but he was not responding to calls as of press time Tuesday afternoon.

In a national daily, Guiao was quoted as saying that unity with Panlilio is unlikely because of their "differences." (Ian Ocampo Flora)