MANILA, Philippines- Imo-monitor ng European Union Election Observation Mission, idineploy para sa Eleksyon 2025, ang foreign interference, election disinformation, vote buying, at iba pang pangunahing alalahanin.
Ang misyon ay binubuo ng 200 EU election observers.
“We have a social media analyst unit and a media analyst unit, both staffed with experts who focus on issues like election disinformation,” ayon kay Chief Observer Marta Temido.
“In addition, we have a press officer, legal analyst, and data analyst units. All the concerns you mentioned—foreign interference, hate speech, online manipulation—are being analyzed by our core team, along with insights from our 72 long-term observers and the remaining short-term observers,” dagdag na wika nito.
Napansin ng National Security Council ang indikasyon na pakikialam ng Tsina sa paparating na midterm elections, umano’y sa pamamagitan ng suporta para sa ilang kandidato.
Gayunman, itinanggi na ng Chinese government ang alegasyon na ito.
Sa ulat, ibinahagi ni Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones Chair Senador Francis Tolentino ang natanggap niyang impormasyon na ang layunin ng China sa pagsuporta sa ilang kandidato para sa eleksyon sa Mayo ay para ma-repeal o maibasura ang Philippine Maritime Zones Law (RA 12064).
Ito ang batas na nagtatakda ng mga karagatang sakop ng Pilipinas, kabilang na ang West Philippine Sea, na inaangkin rin ng China.
Una nang kinumpirma ng National Security Council (NSC) sa naging pagdinig sa Senado na may indikasyong nagsasagawa ng mga information operations ang China, sa pamamagitan ng social media, para maimpluwensyahan ang resulta ng Midterm Elections.
Sinabi rin ni NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya na may ilang kandidatong sinusuportahan ang China para manalo at sinisiraan ang mga hindi nila gustong kandidato.
Aminado naman si Tolentino na ramdam niya mismo ang kampanya para sirain ang kanyang pangalan at hindi siya manalo sa eleksyon bilang siya ang isa sa mga pangunahing nagsulong ng Philippine Maritime Zones Law.
Binigyang-diin ni Temido na ang “foreign interference at election disinformation” ay global issues na dapat tugunan ng mga election observer.
“These have become common patterns in many elections worldwide. That’s why we’ve assembled an expert core team to analyze social media activity, including troll behavior and external influence on democratic processes,” aniya pa rin.
Gayunman, binigyang-diin nito na ang mga bagong hamon ay mahalaga gaya ng traditional electoral katulad ng right to cast ng mga botante ng kanilang balota nang malaya, freedom of expression, at access to information.
“We evaluate elections based on international and regional democratic standards, Philippine laws, and principles of good electoral practice. The EU applies a long-term and comprehensive methodology that covers every phase of the electoral process—from the legal framework and election administration to voter and candidate registration, campaign activities including financing, the role of traditional and social media, and the quality of information available to voters,” ang paliwanag nito.
Ang iba pang isyu na mino-monitor ng EU observers ay ang “right to vote at run for office, freedom of movement and association, equal opportunities sa hanay ng mga kandidato at access sa epektibong legal remedies.”
“Of course, we’ll be on the ground for election day itself, monitoring polling, automated vote counting, and the tabulation of results—all of which are equally significant,” ang sinabi ni Temido.
“I want to stress that this is a comprehensive, long-term observation mission. Every aspect of the process is important. While disinformation and foreign interference are emerging concerns, longstanding issues remain and require equal attention,” aniya pa rin. Kris Jose
