Urdaneta mayor, vice mayor ordered to explain ‘kissing auction’

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has ordered the re-electionist mayor and vice mayor of Urdaneta, Pangasinan to explain their alleged involvement in a “kissing auction,” where bidders competed for a kiss from an elderly woman in the audience.

Comelec Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) issued a show cause order to Mayor Rammy Parayno and his nephew, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, on Thursday, May 8.

“This has reference to a ‘kissing auction’ you allegedly conducted during a campaign event wherein an elderly woman was called to the stage where officials conducted a bidding war for her kiss starting at one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) and eventually reaching five thousand pesos (P5,000.00),” the order read.

The incident went viral and drew backlash from a number of sectors, including women group GABRIELA, which called it “exploitation.”

The task force said the officials’ actions may constitute gender-based harassment, a violation of the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.

It gave the Paraynos three days to respond and explain why they should not face an election offense or disqualification case for the potential unlawful act..

“Failure on your part to comply with this Order shall be construed as a waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case against you,” the task force said.

It added that this will be different from any possible show cause order from the Committee on Kontra Bigay for vote buying, since money was allegedly given during the campaign.

It added that this case would be separate from any potential show cause order from the Committee on Kontra Bigay related to alleged vote buying, given that money was reportedly exchanged during the event.

The Paraynos are the latest in a growing list of candidates facing Comelec scrutiny for sexist, racist, or otherwise inappropriate behavior during the campaign season. Earlier, the Comelec Second Division disqualified Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia for a lewd joke involving single mothers and for body-shaming a female staff member - though Sia has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Malacañang earlier suspended the Paraynos for grave misconduct and abuse of authority over the 2022 removal of a city council member.