The EU Election Observation Mission is led by Chief Observer Marta Temido, a Member of the European Parliament from Portugal. In total, the mission will comprise around 200 observers from EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway and Canada.

A Core Team of 12 analysts arrived in Manila at the end of March 2025. The Core Team assesses all aspects and stages of the electoral process, including electoral, legal, political, media and social media issues. They are supported by logistical and security experts.

Around 70 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) will arrive in the Philippines in April to cover the different regions of the country. They will observe the electoral process in their areas and report to the Core Team in Manila.

Shortly before election day, they will be joined by around 100 Short-Term Observers (STOs). On election day, the mission will be reinforced by observers from EU diplomatic missions accredited to the Republic of the Philippines. A delegation of Members of the European Parliament will also join the EU EOM on election day. They will observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

The Mission's mandate is to provide an assessment of the electoral process. The EU EOM assesses the extent to which the elections comply with the Republic of the Philippines’ Constitution and laws, and with the Philippines’ international commitments related to democratic elections.

The EU EOM Philippines 2025 is independent in its findings and conclusions from the EU Delegation to the Republic of the Philippines, EU Member States and all EU institutions.

The EU observation methodology is comprehensive and long-term, and applies in the same way to all EU Election Observation Missions deployed around the world. EU observers maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work and do not interfere in the electoral process, including by offering advice or assistance. The EU EOM does not legitimise the electoral process nor does it validate the election results.

The EU EOM operates in accordance with the “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation”, adopted at the United Nations in 2005 by a number of international organisations involved in election observation. At all times, the EU Observers are bound by a Code of Conduct which ensures their neutrality and impartiality. EU observers are also bound by Ethical Guidelines.

During its observation, the EU EOM Philippines 2025 will meet with representatives of COMELEC, relevant national and local authorities and political parties, as well as with representatives of civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, the EU EOM will deploy observers throughout the country to observe the opening of polling stations, voting and counting, tabulation of results, as well as complaints and appeals procedures.

The EU EOM will publish a preliminary statement shortly after election day. This statement will outline the EU EOM’s initial findings and conclusions, and the extent to which the Mission considers the elections have been conducted in line with the Philippines’ laws, as well as with the international commitments to democratic elections that the Republic of the Philippines has subscribed to.

A comprehensive final report, with recommendations offered to the authorities and the public for future elections, will be issued around two months after the conclusion of the electoral process.