Vice Presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio responded to reports about pre-shaded ballots discovered during the absentee voting in Singapore and Dubai on Monday saying it “is grossly disconcerting.”
“Reports about pre-shaded ballots discovered during the absentee voting in Singapore and Dubai are not to be taken lightly. That my name was allegedly pre-shaded, along with some senatorial candidates, is grossly disconcerting,” Mayor Sara said in a statement.
The Philippine Embassy in Singapore denied this through a statement following a report that some unverified sources alleged that pre-shaded ballots have been given to voters who came to the Embassy to cast their votes.
The Embassy also stressed that this was an isolated incident.
“The Embassy is aware of only one incident wherein one spoiled ballot from yesterday’s voting exercise was inadvertently and unintentionally given to a voter,” it said.
According to Mayor Sara, as a politician, her experience has taught her that Filipinos do not respect those who cheat and engage in election fraud.
“And I take with great pride in the fact that my history in politics has never been tainted by cheating, fraud, and other election irregularities that could question my integrity and leadership. I never have and will never condone cheating. I won my past elections because the people voted for me,” the mayor said.
Mayor Sara added that the legal team of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) will officially request the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate the allegation of electoral irregularities in Dubai and Singapore.
“The same action is also to be requested from the Comelec for future similar reports and allegations — if any. Let me also take this opportunity to call on all Filipinos both in the Philippines and overseas to be vigilant against electoral fraud and ensure that your votes are protected. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that the 2022 elections are safe, free, fair, and credible,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Embassy assured the public that it is committed to providing a system of honest and orderly overseas absentee voting.
