EU Poll observers cite violence, vote-buying, dynastic politics in Philippine midterm elections
- Pinoy Portal Europe
- May 15
- 3 min read
By Emmalyn Liwag Kotte, Germany
Violence, vote-buying, and technical issues surrounding voting technology marred the May 12 national midterm elections in the Philippines.
This was reported by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) at a Manila press conference livestreamed on Facebook yesterday, May 14.
“EU observers witnessed several credible indications and received reports of vote-buying through cash and goods, as well as partisan distribution of welfare payouts (ayuda),” said Chief Observer Marta Temido.
Deputy Chief Observer Manuel Sanchez de Nogues noted that vote buying is entrenched and endemic in the Philippines, particularly in the provinces of Bohol, Davao Oriental, La Union, Palawan, Quezon, Siquijor, Zamboanga City, and Zamboanga del Sur. He said his team had gathered witness accounts and other evidence about the practice.
Temido further reported that the elections were held against a backdrop of election-related violence, including the killing of at least 30 individuals, among them candidates and election officials.
Another key concern was the continued dominance of political dynasties, which the mission said has made many elections less competitive. In about 20 percent of congressional district races, candidates ran unopposed - often powerful incumbents - leaving voters with limited choices.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was also criticized for its decision to deny EU observers access to polling precincts, despite a previously signed agreement guaranteeing such access.
“The solution proposed by the Comelec to stay outside the precincts as the option to deal with the situation and to witness through a window is not compatible with our methodology. To look through a window is not to observe,” said Temido.
Vladimir Prebilic, a member of the European Parliament, explained that their team was invited by the Philippine government and the Comelec to observe the recent elections.
"The agreement governing our observation mission granted the EU-EOM full access at any time to all polling precincts,” he said, adding that the Comelec decided not to honor the agreement."
“Not only was agreed access to polling precincts denied, but the police were even given clear orders by Comelec not to allow European observers to enter,” he said.
In a report by Rappler on Wednesday, May 14, Comelec chairman George Garcia emphasized it is bound by the Omnibus Election Code and said the mission was made aware of its limitations.
The report quoted Garcia as saying (in Filipino), "Ang nakalagay sa aming agreement, our international mission will have to observe our existing laws. Hindi naman pwede i-insist sa atin ng mga nasa labas po, with all due respect, na i-violate natin yung ating batas o wag sundin yung ating batas." (It’s included in our agreement that our international mission will have to observe our existing laws. So, with all due respect, outsiders should not insist that we violate or set aside our own laws.)
Due to these last-minute restrictions, the EU-EOM scaled back its deployment on election day, limiting its ability to observe the voting process comprehensively, said Temido. She explained that after the close of the polls, the EU-EOM teams were deployed in 92 polling precincts across the country but were denied access in eight precincts that they visited during the counting phase.
Despite these setbacks, observers noted that post-election counting was generally calm and orderly, though technical issues with automated vote counting machines and result transmission were reported in several areas. “These need to be addressed ahead of future elections,” said Temido.
The EU election observers acknowledged the dedication of Filipino voters and election staff, commending the public for the high turnout and patience, and election workers for managing operations despite many logistical challenges.
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