CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Governor Eddie Panlilio said Monday afternoon that nothing changes "the reality" that he is "a priest and has no business dealing with politics."

The priest-governor told Sun.Star Pampanga that he would rather return to his priestly ministries than seek re-election in May 2010.

Panlilio is set to take his oath on Thursday in Cubao, Quezon City as a member of the Liberal Party (LP) and chair of the party in the province. He said he would just act as a convenor and form the provincial slate here and not seek any elective post, yet.

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"It does not change the reality that I am a priest. And I do not have any business to move ahead in politics, not again. I'm just like the missionaries, like the Augustinians, who trail blaze, and once things are established, they move ahead and pass it to people capable of running the affairs," Panlilio said.

But he said some groups are clamoring again for him to seek re-election following Mayor Oscar Rodriguez's decision to run again as mayor of this city and finish his "mission" and projects.

"Some members and even groups of civil society want me to run. But, other members of these groups are still looking for alternatives. I haven't said yes," he said.

Panlilio added: "If I run, as the bishops say, I would have to quit. On Thursday, I will take my oath as LP member and chair of the province. Not necessarily am I running for governor yet. I just want to put up a slate other than the Lakas-Kampi party. Noynoy (Aquino) himself will lead the oath taking of the local LP here."

"They are really asking me to run, Kasaup, PCMC and other groups, and told me they are going to talk to the bishops. But I never said 'yes' but I will consider it. If and when walang alternative. But kung mayroon, then I will not," Panlilio said.

He told Sun.Star Pampanga that civil society groups are on the hunt for these "alternative candidates" to continue the crusade for good governance and responsible citizenship.

"They are talking to somebody and I will join them in the talks. Rey Espiritu of Couples for Christ is one of them but the others 'would not want' to be mentioned yet," he added.

As for reports that it should have been Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao who should be the LP's chair here because of his family's undeniable closeness to the Aquinos, Panlilio Guiao did not make any attempt to move to LP because he remains to be with Lakas-Kampi.

"In fairness to the vice governor, I was in a three-day meeting and seminar with Kaya Natin members Mayor Jess Robredo of Naga City and congressman Jun Abaya, the campaign manager of Noynoy. I asked them, 'Did Yeng Guiao ask to be with LP as chair and member?' And they said no. They told me perhaps they (Guiao's camp) approached Peping (Cojuangco) but not Noynoy. We know his family is close to the Aquinos, especially the children but he did not signify (intention to join LP), I was told," Panlilio said.