Following COMELEC Resolutions No. 10751 and 10753, the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam informs the public of the guidelines for poll watchers for the 2022 National Elections:

Resolution No. 10751:

Section 21. Watchers. - Every registered political party or coalition of political parties fielding candidates, accredited political party, sectoral party/organizations or coalition thereof participating in the party-list system of representation, candidate, and accredited citizens’ arms and accredited Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) organizations shall be entitled to one (1) watcher at any given time during the voting and counting of votes.

However, if there is insufficient space for all the watchers to be accommodated, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the Commission, one (1) watcher for the accredited citizen’s arms, one (1) common watcher for accredited OFW organizations and one (1) common watcher for independent candidates.

Section 22. Qualifications of Watchers. – No person shall be appointed as watcher, unless that person is/has:

1. An overseas voter in the Post where the person is assigned;
2. Of good moral character and reputation;
3. Not been convicted of any election offense or any crime;
4. Able to write and read English or Filipino; and
5. Not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the Chairperson or to any member to the SBEI in the Post where said person seeks appointment as a watcher.

Section 23. Upon entering the polling place, watchers shall present and deliver to the Chairperson of the SBEI their appointments and, forthwith, their names shall be recorded in the Minutes of Voting (OVF-No-11-A) with a notation under their signatures that they are not disqualified as watchers. The appointment of watchers shall bear the personal or facsimile signature of the candidate or the duly authorized representative of the political party, organization or coalition of parties who appointed them or of organizations authorized by the Commission.

Resolution No. 10753:

Section 25. Watchers during Canvass. – Every registered political party fielding candidates for President, Vice-President, Senator and party-list group shall be entitled to one (1) watcher at any given time in every canvassing center.

The accredited citizen’s arm of the Commission, and civic, religious, professional, business, service, youth and other similar organizations shall collectively, and upon prior authority of the Commissioner-in-Charge of the OFOV, be entitled to (1) watcher at any given time.

However, if there is insufficient space for all the watchers to be accommodated, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the Commission, one (1) watcher for accredited OFW organizations.

For those who are entitled under these Resolutions, the list of poll watchers must be submitted to the Embassy, copy furnished the OFOV, not later than Tuesday, 5 April 2022.