EU Report Exposes Vote-Buying and Troll Campaigns in Philippine Midterm Elections

The European Union's Election Observation Mission released a report detailing widespread vote-buying and the rampant use of trolls during the 2025 Philippine midterm elections. The report cites numerous instances of vote-buying across several provinces, including Bohol, Davao Oriental, and Zamboanga. "We have found several instances of trolls that have increased the number of followers by several politicians," stated Manuel Sanchez de Nogues, Deputy Chief Observer for the EU mission. This raises concerns about the integrity of the election process. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has yet to respond to the EU's findings. The EU's report highlights the challenges faced by Philippine democracy in combating electoral malpractice.