Dodoy Barruela, the brother of incumbent Mayor Jose Jimbo Barruela, allegedly punched mayoralty candidate EJ Griño. This week, Griño reported the incident to the Dao Municipal Police Station of the alleged punching incident that occurred last October 11, 2024. Griño said he was standing by the road talking to someone when Barruela’s car allegedly bumped him. Barruela then approached Griño and confronted him about envelopes distributed during the last election, but it was unclear what exactly Barruela was referring to. By then, Barruela’s two male companions allegedly also approached Griño. The mayoralty candidate claimed he was physically held by the two men while Barruela punched his chest. Griño also claimed that Barruela warned him to withdraw his candidacy for the May 2025 elections. Griño is the only challenger to incumbent Mayor Barruela, who is running for reelection.