Manila, May 9 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday issued a show cause order (SCO) against two local candidates in Pangasinan over an alleged "kissing auction" that happened in one of their campaign rallies.

Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, both seeking reelection in the May 12 elections, were given three days upon the receipt of the SCO to submit a written explanation on why they should not be subjected to election offense and disqualification.

The Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion (SAFE) issued the SCO after a video went viral on social media showing the Paraynos conducting a bidding war among officials for a chance to kiss an elderly woman from the crowd, with...