A candidate for mayor of the Municipality of Dao has withdrawn from the race after filing his certificate of withdrawal last Thursday, February 20.
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Milagros Salud Villanueva confirmed that John Emmanuel “Ejay” Griño of Barangay Balucuan submitted his certificate of withdrawal before the Dao office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
According to Villanueva, Griño decided not to run against incumbent Mayor Jose Jimbo Barruela for personal reasons.
“It’s no longer important what his reasons are. The main issue is that his certificate of withdrawal, submitted to the election officer, was notarized,” Villanueva emphasized.
Griño filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October 2024 as an independent candidate.
Barruela now appears to be reelected as municipal mayor when he is running unopposed in the May 2025 midterm elections.
