Filipino voters in New Zealand were told to return ballots that reportedly excluded the name of a "particular presidential candidate" to the embassy to "verify the claim."
In a statement on Sunday, April 24, the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand directed Filipinos, who claimed receiving a ballot that does not include the name of a presidential candidate, to send the ballot package back to the embassy.
This came after claims that the name of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo was excluded in ballots distributed to voters in the foreign land made rounds online.
"The Philippine Embassy in Wellington refers to the allegation circulating on social media that a voting ballot sent by the Embassy excluded the name of a particular Presidential Candidate," the embassy said.
"Anyone who claims that they have received a ballot with an erasure/non-appearance of any of the entries is requested to return the entire ballot package to the Embassy so that we can verify the claim," it added.
The embassy assured that they are coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
It also stressed that the embassy is "committed to upholding the integrity of the national elections as we stand by our oath as career civil servants to uphold the values of patriotism, integrity professionalism, excellence and service."
Overseas absentee voting (OAV) started on April 10.