Less than eight months before the 2010 elections in May, President Arroyo has appointed regional poll director Gregorio Y. Larrazabal as new commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), completing the seven-man poll body.

In an interview Wednesday, the 37-year-old lawyer vowed to do his best especially in ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of the May 2010 elections.

“I have to do my best once confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

I hope to do my best to make sure that the elections next year will be done in a smooth, efficient and orderly manner,” he said.

Larrazabal is also hoping to infuse new and fresh ideas to the  omelec especially for the forthcoming automation of the 2010 national polls.

“I was part of the automated elections in 2008 in ARMM  (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). I have field experience so that gives a different perspective and hopefully will allow me to give a fresh input,” he said.

Overall, Larrazabal said, he just plans to do his work.

A graduate of the University of San Carlos, the Leyte-born official admitted that he is related to the influential Larrazabal clan of Cebu.

He joined the Comelec in 2004 and has served as provincial election supervisor of Bulacan, regional election director of Bicol and PES of Basilan.

His latest post was as RED of Eastern Visayas before he was called up by the Comelec Chairman’s office informing him of his appointment.

Once confirmed, he is set to continue the unfinished term of the late Commissioner Romeo Brawner until February 2011.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Larrazabal will occupy the seventh and last commissioner slot to enable the Comelec to work in full as it prepares for next year’s elections.

The appointment of Larrazabal came even after Comelec Chairman Jose Melo claimed there is no need to fill up the seventh slot, saying it will just be a waste of public funds since whoever is  appointed to replace Commissioner Leonardo Leonida will serve for only two years.

Leonida was not reappointed by President Arroyo after his ad  nterim appointment expired when Congress took a break last June.

“He is very young. He is 37 years old. I released the (appointment) copy to Chairman (Jose) Melo Wednesday,” Ermita said in a news conference at the Palace.

With Congress still in session, Ermita said they will submit  arrazabal’s appointment for confirmation by the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

Ermita said the President also designated Dr. James G. Dy, known for his work in the music industry and charitable work, as special envoy for medical tourism.

Dy is the president of Universal Records and founder of the ASEAN Music Industry Association. He is also serves as chairman and president of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (With a report from Genalyn Kabiling)

Also appointed are Francisco Perez as assistant secretary of the Telecommunications Office and Ronadale Zapata, assistant chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President; and Marissa  acaraig-Guillen as assistant solicitor general.

The President also named Arthur Aguilar as chairman of the National Renewable Energy Board-Department of Energy and  pollo Enriquez as chairman of the Board of Civil Engineering of the Professional Regulatory Commission.