Gregorio Y. Larrazabal was 37 years old and was the youngest commissioner named to the seven-member body after former President Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo was appointed him eight months to go before the May 10, 2010 elections. He fills the last spot after Leonardo Leonida leaved the position and subsequent to his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Larrazabal came from influential clan from Leyte City. He is the nephew of the owner of Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Dr. Pontenciano Larrazabal. His family is one of the richest clan in Leyte with political influence. His mother was a former Leyte Governor, Adelina Yrastorza-Larrazabal and his father, Emeterio Larrazabal was appointed as an acting mayor of Ormoc City by President Corazon Aquino after the People Power Movement. Emeterio is also a businessman and a farmer. He passed away on December 2009 because of lung cancer.
Larrazabal finished his law degree in University of San Carlos in Cebu City. In 2008, he was appointed Comelec director for Eastern Visayas. He also served as the officer in charge for Comelec in the Bicol Region and election supervisor of Bulacan.
Larrazabal also managed the automated elections on Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and at the same time serving as the election supervisor of Basilan. It was on 2004 when he first join the Comelec as the as provincial election supervisor of Bulacan and later on appointed as the election supervisor of Camarines Sur and regional election director in the Bicol region.
Larrazabal, have proven that his fresh inputs and field experience together with the all the members of Commission of Elections (Comelec) lead by Comelec chief Jose Melo have successfully ended the May 10, 2010 election in smooth, efficient and orderly manner.