BAGUIO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Urdaneta City mayoral candidate Rammy Parayno and vice mayoral candidate Jimmy Parayno to explain why they should not face penalties over an alleged improper campaign stunt.

The Comelec’s Task Force on Safeguarding Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) citing a “kissing auction” allegedly conducted during a campaign event on 24 April 2025, in Nancamaliran West, Urdaneta City.

“This refers to a ‘kissing auction’ you allegedly held during a campaign event, where an elderly woman was called to the stage, and officials initiated a bidding war for her kiss starting at one thousand pesos (P1,000) and eventually reaching five thousand pesos (P5,000),” the order stated.

Video footage of the incident, which circulated on social media, drew widespread criticism, with netizens denouncing the act as exploitative and disrespectful toward women, particularly the elderly.

Comelec, in February 2025, issued a resolution on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines for the 12 May national, local and BARMM parliamentary elections.

The resolution, aligned with local anti-discrimination ordinances, aims to address stigma, prejudice and harassment against marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Task Force SAFE said the candidates’ actions may constitute violations of Comelec Resolution 1116, which outlines anti-discrimination and fair campaigning rules. The Paraynos were ordered to submit a written explanation within three days of receiving the SCO, issued on 8 May, detailing why a complaint or petition for disqualification should not be filed against them.

“Failure to comply with this order will be deemed a waiver of your right to be heard and may result in the filing of the appropriate case against you,” the task force warned.