EU observers say mission includes checking on PH poll interference claim

MANILA, Philippines — Checking for possible foreign interference is also part of the mandate of the European Union election observation mission (EU EOM), which is in the country to assess the upcoming midterm polls next month.

Marta Temido, chief observer of EU's EOM, made this known on Friday amid fears of possible Chinese interference in the May 12 elections.

In a Senate hearing on Thursday, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya sounded the alarm on possible Chinese poll meddling.

During the same hearing, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino also said that China, through its embassy in Manila, allegedly paid for a “troll farm” under a contract with a private company to discredit the government and anti-China Filipino personalities.

READ: Senate inquiry brings up China-funded troll farm

READ: China we have no interest to interfere with PH elections

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing follows the principle of non-interference, noting that it has “no interest” in meddling with the Philippine elections.

READ: China: We have no interest to interfere with PH elections

Nevertheless, Temido said the EOM’s core team contains units of social media analysts and data analysts that could unveil potential foreign interference.

“It's made up of several analysts—eight I think—and they are covering with particular specific methodologies all those situations, namely foreign controls, foreign interference,” Temido said in a press conference in Makati City.

“Our reports will address those concerns because they are becoming more common concerns nowadays,” she continued.

‘They know what they are doing’

An election watchdog on Friday expressed confidence that the EU mission could conduct such an analysis effectively. 

“There is no question that they know what they are doing as they have conducted election observer missions in other countries,” said Kontra Daya lead convenor Danilo Arao in a message to INQUIRER.net.

Arao urged the EU experts to launch a deeper investigation regarding troll farms and “keyboard warriors”. 

"The Chinese embassy's alleged involvement in a controversial contract which uses the term ‘keyboard warriors’ bears deeper investigation so that those who get prosecuted would not just be confined to the particular PR firm but also the groups and individuals who hired the latter,” Arao said.

“Personally, I won't be surprised if the money trail gets traced to certain politicians and government officials,” he added.

EU observers mum before poll wrap-up

Hence, Temido said the EOM’s initial report on the midterm polls will only be out by May 14, or two days after election day.

"You will not read or hear from us any assessment of the election until 14 May, when we will publicly present here in Manila our preliminary statement,” she said.

The EOM's long term and short time observers will send the report to the 12-man core team stationed in Manila, who will come up with the full assessment that will only be  published “around two months” after the elections, Temido also said.

READ: ‘World’s eyes on PH’: After EU team, more foreign poll observers due

Once finished, Temido said the EU will present its initial and final assessment to the Philippine government, which invited them to conduct the mission for the first time.

“It’s up to each government to decide, it’s up to each society, up to each country, to decide to implement or not our recommendations,” Temido said.

“We think … as election observers, that this is important because this allows countries to improve and to develop, learning from each other and sharing from each other,” she added.

EU earmarks €40 million

The 200-strong EOM is entirely funded by the EU, which earmarked about €40 million for this mission, according to Temido.

All of the 72 long-term election observers arrived here last week and are now settled in their respective deployment posts in all regions of the country, according to Deputy Chief Observer Manuel Sanchez de Nogues. He said they are divided into 36 teams, or two observers each per team, in 18 regions nationwide.

So far, Sanchez de Nogues said that the 36 teams have visited 47 out of all 82 provinces in the country.

Meanwhile, the 104 short-term observers will arrive in the country next month, he also said.

“This is one of our greatest missions this year,” Temido said.

(2025/04/25-15:43)