Paraynos issued show cause order

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order against Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno for allegedly conducting a "kissing auction" during a campaign rally.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has drawn severe condemnation from various sectors, particularly women's rights groups, who have decried it as a disturbing act of gender-based harassment.

The incident occurred at a campaign rally in Urdaneta City, where the two local officials reportedly called an elderly woman onto the stage. According to multiple reports, the woman was subjected to a bidding war among the campaign organizers, with the price for her kiss starting at P1,000 and escalating to as high as P5,000. Video footage of the event was shared widely on social media platforms, including Facebook, and quickly garnered attention across various news outlets.

The act was met with strong criticism from several organizations, including Gabriela, a prominent women's rights group, which issued a statement condemning the behavior.

Gabriela called the auction "an exploitation of women for the amusement of political candidates" and urged the Comelec to take swift action.

In response to the incident, Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear & Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) moved to investigate the matter, citing potential violations of the poll body's guidelines on fair campaigning, particularly those related to gender-based harassment.

Specifically, the order refers to a violation of the provisions outlined in Comelec Resolution 11116, which is designed to prevent discrimination and ensure respect for all individuals during the election period. The resolution emphasizes the prohibition of actions that could be perceived as discriminatory or as inciting gender-based violence or harassment.

The Task Force has pointed out that the actions taken during the rally may constitute a violation of Section 3 of the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 National and Local Elections, more so since they relate to gender-based harassment. These include unwanted sexual actions or remarks against any person, whether in person or online, and could be extended to the physical and emotional harm caused by such public displays.

The show cause order issued by Comelec demands that the Paraynos respond in writing within three days from the receipt of the order. In their responses, they are expected to explain why the event should not be considered an election offense or why a petition for disqualification should not be filed against them.

Failure to comply with the order will result in a presumption of waiver of their right to be heard, and the filing of charges may proceed without further notice.