MANILA, Philippines – Vote-buying, violence and the continued dominance of few political families, locally called “dynasties”, were present during the much-anticipated mid-term elections in the country, the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) stated, as it presented its Preliminary Statement on Thursday.
In a press conference, EU EOM Chief Observer Marta Temido mentioned that the elections took place “against the backdrop of a few political families in the lists of candidates, detracting from overall competitiveness.”
“The process was also marred by election-related violence, including on election day,” the Chief Observer added.
Despite that, the campaign was vibrant and media coverage pluralistic, both which enhanced voter’s ability to make an informed choice, Temido said.
In the Preliminary Statement, EU observers mentioned witnessing several credible indications and received reports of vote-buying through cash and goods, as well as partisan distribution of welfare payouts or “ayuda”.
Temido then noted that violent incidents marred the election process in parts of the country, including through at least 30 killings of candidates and election officials.
“While violence was more prevalent in local rather than national elections, it influenced the overall atmosphere, resulting in widespread intimidation in several provinces,” Temido stated.
This was echoed by Vladimir Prebilič, Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament that joined the EU EOM, and fully endorsing the Preliminary Statement.
“Violence during an election is utterly unacceptable, particularly when it results in the loss of dozens of lives. A democratic electoral process should never be associated with such tragic incidents,” said Prebilič.
Meanwhile, the EU observers praised the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for its “timely preparation” of polling stations and the deployment of automated counting machines (ACMs) and ballots.
“EU EOM observers found COMELEC’s regional, provincial, city, and municipal branches to be experienced and competent. COMELEC’s public communication efforts were proactive and diverse, and for the first time included the distribution of personalised voter information sheets to all registered voters,” the Preliminary Statement mentioned.
Unfortunately, the EU EOM lamented that the EU observers were not allowed in the voting precincts, undermining its ability to “observe voting procedures.”
“As a result, the EU EOM could no longer ensure meaningful observation of the voting phase in all polling stations during the voting hours. Consequently, the Mission did not deploy its full team of observers as originally planned,” the statement said.
Because of this, the EU EOM claimed that the mission is not in a position to “assess the voting process” in line with its methodology.
“Nevertheless, after the close of polls, the EU EOM deployed 82 teams in 92 polling precincts across the country. In eight of them they were denied access,” the statement read.
This is after Chief Observer Temido recalled the formal invitation from the Philippines to observe the 2025 National Midterm Elections, after which the European Union has deployed an EOM with the mandate to observe all aspects of the electoral process.
“As per the EU’s methodology, the EU and Filipino authorities signed an Administrative Arrangement setting the basis for the Mission, granting the EU EOM and its members ‘freedom of access, at any time, to all polling stations and counting/tabulation centres,’ and also ensuring that all mission’s members shall abide by the COMELEC’s International Election Observer Accreditation Guidelines and the EU EOM Code of Conduct” she explained.
This preliminary statement is delivered prior to the completion of the election process. The final assessment of the elections will depend, in part, on the conduct of the remaining stages of the election process, in particular, the completion of canvassing, and the handling of possible post-election day complaints and appeals, the EU EOM said.
The EU EOM remains in country to observe post-election developments and will publish a final report, containing detailed recommendations, within two months of the conclusion of the electoral process, the Mission stated.
“The EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation endorsed at the United Nations in October 2005,” the Mission added.
The EU EOM has been present in the Philippines since 28 March 2025, following an invitation from Philippine authorities.
Led by Chief Observer Marta Temido, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), the EU EOM accredited 226 observers from 25 EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland across the country to assess the whole electoral process against international obligations and commitments for democratic elections, as well as the laws of the Philippines, the Preliminary Statement read.
