10 hours ago
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THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order against Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno over a controversial "kissing auction" held during their campaign event.
The incident, which was widely condemned, involved an elderly woman being called to the stage where a bidding war for her kiss escalated from P1,000 to P5,000.
The Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) cited possible violations of anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines under Comelec Resolution No. 11116, as amended by Resolution No. 11127. The order specifically referenced Section 3, which prohibits gender-based harassment and other discriminatory acts during the election period.
In the order signed by Task Force SAFE Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, the Paraynos, both running for re-election, were given three days to submit a written explanation to the Comelec. Failure to comply could result in the filing of an election offense case or a disqualification petition.
The Comelec emphasized that the order is without prejudice to any additional actions that may be taken by its Committee on Kontra Bigay, which investigates vote-buying and similar violations.
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