Comelec debunks posts on hiring watchers, machine operators for May 12 polls 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned the public of a post circulating online that uses its name and logo to hire poll watchers and machine operators for the upcoming midterm elections on Monday, May 12. 

“Fake news ang graphics na kumakalat ngayon sa social media tungkol sa diumano’y pagtanggap ng mga watchers at machine operators para sa darating na 2025 National at Local Elections. Ito ay hindi totoo at walang opisyal na anunsyo mula sa Comelec,” said the Comelec in a statement on Thursday. 

(The graphics currently circulating on social media regarding the alleged hiring of watchers and machine operators for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections are fake news. This is not true and there is no official announcement from the Comelec.) 

Under Article III of Comelec Resolution No. 11076, the poll body said that poll watchers are determined by political candidates, partylists, or accredited citizens’ groups. 

“Hindi sila ini-hire ng gobyerno bilang regular na empleyado at walang bayad mula sa pamahalaan, maliban kung ito’y malinaw na itinalaga sa batas o alituntunin,” the Comelec added. 

(They are not hired by the government as regular employees and receive no pay from the government, unless this is clearly designated in law or regulation.) 

Further, the poll body warned the public not to give any personal information to any unverified posts and to report such posts to the authorities. 

The COMELEC also warned that spreading false and alarming information is considered an election offense under Section 261(z)(11) of the  Omnibus Election Code.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia made the announcement a day after European Union (EU) poll observers' chief Marta Temido said their work in the Philippines has been proceeding smoothly so far.

Comelec earlier declined the request of the EU Election Observation Mission to be allowed entry in polling places on Monday's elections, saying that doing so would violate Philippine laws.

Garcia cited the 1987 Constitution as well as a provision of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) under Article 7, Section 52(k) B.2, which states that: "Members or units of any citizen group or organization so designated by the Comelec, except its lone duly accredited watcher, will not be allowed to enter any polling place except to vote, and shall, if they so desire, stay in an area at least fifty meters away from the polling place." —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News