EU not sending foreign observers to RP on election day

MANILA, Philippines - The European Union is not sending an election mission to the Philippines but individual member states or some members of the European Parliament may come to observe on election day.

Gabriel Munuera Vinals, head of the EU political, economic, trade and public affairs section in the Philippines, said observers who would be sent by EU member states would just be in Metro Manila.

“We have not decided where some colleagues from other embassies will be accredited as foreign observers on election day, and they are not going to different regions,” Vinals said in an interview following the announcement of events marking “Europe Month” dubbed “Viva Europa 2010.” The Events celebrate the founding of the EU and   friendship between the Philippines and the EU.

Vinals said there had never been an EU mission sent to the Philippines to observe the election.

“We had never been requested nor invited by the government. Members of embassy or delegation of EU observing on election day or members of some parliaments of European countries were invited by their colleagues in Congress here in the past. But no EU election observation mission yet,” he said.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said the United Kingdom would send election observers to the Philippines for the May 10 elections.

He said the UK embassy in Manila had reviewed Commission on Elections guidelines in fielding observers.

The UK looks forward to the holding of the elections and handover of administration, he said.