Comelec to Urdaneta bets: Explain ‘kissing auction’ during campaign
Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the mayoral and vice mayoral candidates in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan province to explain their “kissing auction” during a campaign event, which may constitute a possible violation of its resolution on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning.
The Task Force Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Safe) issued the show cause order to mayoral bet Rammy Parayno and vice mayoral candidate Jimmy Parayno on Thursday. The copy of the order was made available to the media on Friday.
Task Force Safe cited news reports about an elderly woman who was called on stage during a local event, where candidates allegedly held a kissing auction in which officials bid for her kiss, with offers starting at P1,000 and reaching up to P5,000.
READ: Pasay mayoral bet Editha Manguerra faces DQ case for quip about Indians
The panel said the acts may constitute possible violations of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, or the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 National and Local Elections and Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections as amended by its supplemental resolution, Comelec Resolution No. 111127.
The resolutions, in relation to Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, define gender-based harassment as “any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive, whether in-person or online, broadcast or in print.”
“[Y]ou are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three (3) days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the order reads.
Comelec Resolution No. 11116, promulgated last February 19, states that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups, organizations, such as people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), persons with disabilities, and women.
Its supplemental resolution declares all election activities and venues as “safe spaces.” It also considers the use of foul language as an election offense.
READ: Comelec division disqualified Ian Sia over sexist remarks
The Comelec Second Division has disqualified Pasig City congressional bet Atty. Christian Sia from the May 2025 elections for deemed lewd and discriminatory remarks.
Sia drew flak for his joke on single mothers and his comment on the physical appearance of his female assistant.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Sia can still appeal the decision to the poll body’s en banc up to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguerra, and Silang, Cavite mayoral bet Kevin Anarna are also facing disqualification petitions from the Task Force Safe for their alleged discriminatory remarks./mcm
