Governor of Iloilo

Local chief executive

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Governor of Iloilo

Gobernador ng Lalawigan ng Iloilo

Incumbent
Arthur Defensor Jr.

since June 30, 2019

Style| The Honorable
His Excellency (formerly, Spanish era)
Seat| Iloilo Provincial Capitol
Term length| 3 years, renewable for 3 consecutive terms
Inaugural holder| Diego de la Correa (Spanish administration)
Martin Delgado (Civil Government)
Formation| 1634 (start of the Spanish administration)
1901 (start of the Civil Government by virtue of Philippine Commission Provincial Government Act)
Deputy| Vice-Governor
Website| Official Website of the Provincial Government of Iloilo

The Governor of Iloilo (Filipino: Punong Lalawigan ng Iloilo) is the local chief executive of the Philippine province of Iloilo. The governor holds office at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol (Spanish: Casa Real de Iloilo) located at Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City. Like all local government heads in the Philippines, the governor is elected via popular vote, and may not be elected for a fourth consecutive term (although the former governor may return to office after an interval of one term). In case of death, resignation or incapacity, the vice governor becomes the governor. Along with the governors of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras, he sits in the Regional Development Council of the Western Visayas Region.

The current governor is Arthur Defensor Jr. who took the seat for the first time starting July 1, 2019, replacing his father Arthur Defensor Sr. who completed the full three terms as provincial governor.[1]

## History

[edit]

The first Alcalde-Mayor (present-day governor) of Iloilo province to be appointed by the Spanish monarch was Diego de la Correa who held this position from 1634 to 1636. In the early years of Spanish settlement, only a handful of towns has been established. In 1565, the Legazpi expedition which include Mateo del Saz, the Maestre de Campo (Ship Commander), Juan de la Isla and Father Martin de Rada exploring the islands in search for food reached the northeastern portion of Panay island.[2] Father Martin de Rada founded Araut (present-day Dumangas) in the same year 1565 becoming the oldest town in Iloilo and built a small chapel there.[3] A Spanish settlement was established in Ogtong (present day Oton) and made the pueblo of the province in 1570. Due to the frequent raids of the Moro pirates from Mindanao, Dutch, and English buccaneers posed a threat to Ogtong, the capital of the province was transferred to La Villa Rica de Arevalo in 1581. It then becomes the seat of Spanish government of the whole of Iloilo, Panay (Capiz, Aklan and Antique), Negros, Guimaras, Cuyu-Palawan, Caluya, Romblon, and Boracay as Miguel Loarca wrote. Other towns established at these period were Pototan, Sibucao (now Passi City) and Dingle, Laglag (now Dueñas), Salog (now Jaro, Iloilo City), Guimbal (1703), Miagao (1716), Leon (1730), Cabatuan (1733), Alimodian (1754), Igbaras (1761), Janiuay (1769), Tubungan (1768), Santa Barbara and Maasin are among the first group of villages that were given a pueblo (town hood) status.[4]

## Provincial Capitol

[edit]

Iloilo provincial capitol building

The old Iloilo Provincial Capitol (Spanish: Casa Real de Iloilo) was the office of the provincial government and official residence of the governor since 1849 with the original structure made out of wood and stone. The new modern Iloilo Provincial Capitol was constructed just behind the old provincial capitol and was completed in 2006. It was designed by architect Guillermo Hisancha. The old provincial capitol has been renovated and restored to its former glory and is now being used as a lobby and reception area for visiting guests and dignitaries. In front of the capitol stands the Arroyo Fountain built in 1928 in honor of Senator Jose Maria Arroyo from Molo, Iloilo City who sponsored a bill creating the Iloilo Metropolitan Water Works. The fountain also serves as the Kilometer Zero or a point of reference in measuring distances in the city and province of Iloilo and also to various points and destinations in Panay Island from Iloilo City.

## List of governors

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These are the lists of governors who served the province of Iloilo since the early Spanish settlement in the 1600s to the present day.

### Spanish Alcalde Mayores (governors) of Iloilo Province

[edit]

After the Spanish settlement was first established in 1570, towns were settled, established and were granted town hood status. By this time, the Spanish government appoints an alcalde mayor to govern the provincial government and surrounding jurisdictions.[5]

Order  | Year in Office | Name  | Capital | Governor-General | Notes

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|
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1 | 1634–1636 | Diego de la Correa | Arevalo |  Juan Cerezo de Salamanca
(21st) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1633–1635) |
2 | 1637–1639 | Pedro Alarcon | Arevalo |
Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera,
22nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1635–1644) |
3 | 1640–1642 | Pedro de Leon | Arevalo |
Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera,
22nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1635–1644) |
4 | 1643–1646 | Felipe Casiano | Arevalo |
Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera,
22nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1635–1644)
Diego Fajardo Chacon,
23rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1644–1653) |
5 | 1647–1649 | Juan Mendoza | Arevalo |
Diego Fajardo Chacon,
23rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1644–1653) |
6 | 1650–1653 | Felipe Peñalosa | Arevalo |
Diego Fajardo Chacon,
23rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1644–1653) |
7 | 1654–1657 | Jose Cordero | Arevalo |  Sabiniano Manrique de Lara ,
24th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1653–1663) |
8 | 1658–1661 | Pedro Bobaella | Arevalo |  Sabiniano Manrique de Lara ,
24th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1653–1663) |
9 | 1662–1664 | Pedro Velasco | Arevalo |  Sabiniano Manrique de Lara
24th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1653–1663)
Diego de Salcedo
25th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1663–1668) |
10 | 1665–1666 | Jose Briones | Arevalo |  Diego de Salcedo,
25th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1663–1668) |
11 | 1667–1668 | Sebastian de Villas | Arevalo |  Diego de Salcedo
25th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1663–1668) Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz
26th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1668–1669) |
12 | 1669–1670 | Jose de Robles | Arevalo |  Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz ,
26th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1668–1669) Manuel de León
27th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1669–1677) |
13 | 1671–1672 | Francisco Surrilla | Arevalo |  Manuel de León
27th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1669–1677) |
14 | 1673–1674 | Miguel Rendon | Arevalo |  Manuel de León
27th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1669–1677) |
15 | 1675–1676 | Alonzo Piralba | Arevalo |  Manuel de León
27th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1669–1677) |
16 | 1677–1678 | Nicolas de Pamplona | Arevalo |  Manuel de León
27th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1669–1677) Francisco Coloma y Maceda
28th Governor-General of the Philippines (Real Audiencia)
(1677) Francisco Sotomayor y Mansilla
29th Governor-General of the Philippines (Real Audiencia)
(1677–1678) Juan de Vargas y Hurtado
30th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1678–1684) |
17 | 1679–1680 | Miguel Rindon Livar | Arevalo |  Juan de Vargas y Hurtado
30th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1678–1684) |
18 | 1681–1682 | Juan de Moreno | Arevalo |  Juan de Vargas y Hurtado
30th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1678–1684) |
19 | 1683–1684 | Martin Gonzales | Arevalo |  Juan de Vargas y Hurtado
30th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1678–1684) Gabriel de Curuzealegui y Arriola
31st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1684–1689) |
20 | 1685–1686 | Manuel Sarmiento | Arevalo |  Gabriel de Curuzealegui y Arriola
31st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1684–1689) |
21 | 1687–1688 | Nicolas Perez | Arevalo |  Gabriel de Curuzealegui y Arriola
31st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1684–1689) |
22 | 1689–1690 | Diego Quiñonez | Arevalo |  Alonso de Avila Fuertes
32nd Governor-General of the Philippines (Real Audiencia)
(1689–1690) Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1690–1701) |
23 | 1691 | Sebastian de Via | Arevalo |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1690–1701)

24 | 1691–1692 | Diego Vargas | Arevalo |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1690–1701)

25 | 1694–1696 | Luis Camacho | Arevalo |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1690–1701)

26 | 1697–1698 | Juan Carion | Arevalo |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1690–1701)

27 | 1699–1700 | Juan Maldonado | Arevalo |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1690–1701)

28 | 1701–1702 | Juan Parado | Iloilo City |  Fausto Cruzat y Góngora
33rd Governor-General of the Philippines (1690–1701) Domingo Zabálburu de Echevarri
34th Governor-General of the Philippines |
29 | 1703–1704 | Antonio Tarosa | Iloilo City |  Domingo Zabálburu de Echevarri
34th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1701–1709)

30 | 1705–1706 | Juan Esquera | Iloilo City |  Domingo Zabálburu de Echevarri
34th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1701–1709)

31 | 1707 | Pedro Avendano | Iloilo City |  Domingo Zabálburu de Echevarri
34th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1701–1709)

32 | 1708–1709 | Nicolas de Colina | Iloilo City |  Domingo Zabálburu de Echevarri
34th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1701–1709)

Martín de Ursúa y Arizmendi
(1st count of Lizárraga)
35th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1709–1715) |
33 | 1710–1711 | Juan Jurado | Iloilo City |  Martín de Ursúa y Arizmendi
(1st count of Lizárraga)
35th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1709–1715) |
34 | 1712–1713 | Gaspar Sanches | Iloilo City |  Martín de Ursúa y Arizmendi
(1st count of Lizárraga)
35th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1709–1715) |
35 | 1714–1715 | Atancio de Gubgura | Iloilo City |  Martín de Ursúa y Arizmendi (1st count of Lizárraga)
35th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1709–1715) José Torralba
36th Governor-General of the Philippines (Real Audiencia)
(1715–1717) |
36 | 1716–1717 | Pedro Lucena | Iloilo City |  José Torralba
36th Governor-General of the Philippines(Real Audiencia)
(1715–1717)
Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda,
37th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1717–1719) | The town of New Lucena was named after him after he approved the petition of converting the barrio into a pueblo. The prefix "New" was added only in 1955.
37 | 1718–1719 | Felipe Arevalo | Iloilo City |
Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda,
37th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1717–1719) |
38 | 1727 | Pedro Basadas Perez | Iloilo City |  Toribio José Cosio y Campo
39th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1721–1729) |
39 | 1728–1730 | Andres Melenday | Iloilo City |  Toribio José Cosio y Campo
39th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1721–1729)

Fernándo Valdés y Tamon
40th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1729–1739) |
40 | 1731–1733 | Francisco Sanguines | Iloilo City |  Fernándo Valdés y Tamon
40th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1729–1739) |
41 | 1734–1737 | Luis de la Torre | Iloilo City |  Fernándo Valdés y Tamon
40th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1729–1739) |
42 | 1738–1739 | Felipe Espino | Iloilo City |  Fernándo Valdés y Tamon
40th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1729–1739)

Gaspar de la Torre y Ayala
41st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1739–1745) |
43 | 1740–1741 | Manuel de Dozal | Iloilo City |  Gaspar de la Torre y Ayala
41st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1739–1745) |
44 | 1742–1745 | Francisco Valladores | Iloilo City |  Gaspar de la Torre y Ayala
41st Governor-General of the Philippines

(1739–1745)

Bishop Juan de Arechederra

Bishop-elect of Nueva Segovia
(Acting) 42nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1745–1750)

45 | 1746–1748 | Francisco Oscotes | Iloilo City |  Bishop Juan de Arechederra
Bishop-elect of Nueva Segovia
(Acting) 42nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1745–1750) |
46 | 1749–1751 | Ignacio Marquez | Iloilo City |  Bishop Juan de Arechederra
Bishop-elect of Nueva Segovia
(42nd) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1745–1750) Francisco José de Ovando
1st Marquis of Brindisi
43rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1750–1754) |
47 | 1752–1754 | Antonio de Arguelles | Iloilo City |  Francisco José de Ovando
1st Marquis of Brindisi
43rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1750–1754) Pedro Manuel de Arandía Santisteban
44th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1754–1759) |
48 | 1770–1771 | Jose de Ocampo | Iloilo City |  Simón de Anda y Salazar
47th (Re-Appointed) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1770–1776) |
49 | 1772–1773 | Manuel de Mendio | Iloilo City |  Simón de Anda y Salazar
47th (Re-Appointed) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1770–1776) |
50 | 1775–1776 | Santiago Salavaria | Iloilo City |  Simón de Anda y Salazar
47th (Re-Appointed) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1770–1776) Pedro de Sarrio
50th (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1776–1778) |
51 | 1777–1779 | Felipe Almoranas | Iloilo City |  Pedro de Sarrio
(50th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1776–1778) José Basco y Vargas
51st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1778–1787) |
52 | 1780–1782 | Francisco Viera | Iloilo City |  José Basco y Vargas
51st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1778–1787) |
53 | 1783–1786 | Santiago Salavaria | Iloilo City |  José Basco y Vargas
51st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1778–1787) |
54 | 1787 | Juan Suarez | Iloilo City |  José Basco y Vargas
51st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1778–1787) Pedro de Sarrio
50th  Re-Appointed (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1787–1788) |
55 | 1788–1795 | Francisco Bayot | Iloilo City |  Pedro de Sarrio
50th  Re-appointed (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1787–1788) Félix Berenguer de Marquina
52nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1788–1793) Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León
53rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1793–1806) |
56 | 1796–1801 | Jose Mijares | Iloilo City |  Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León
53rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1793–1806) |
57 | 1802–1804 | Damian Novales | Iloilo City |  Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León
53rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1793–1806) |
58 | 1805–1808 | Froilan Aguerre | Iloilo City |  Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León
53rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1793–1806)

Mariano Fernández de Folgueras
(54th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1806–1810) |
59 | — | — | Iloilo City | — |
60 | 1818–1819 | Manuel Canay | Iloilo City |  Mariano Fernández de Folgueras
54th Re-Appointed (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1816–1822) |
61 | 1820–1822 | Miguel Calderon | Iloilo City |  Mariano Fernández de Folgueras
54th Re-Appointed (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1816–1822) Juan Antonio Martinez
57th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1822–1825) |
62 | 1823–1825 | Joaquin Cemina | Iloilo City |  Juan Antonio Martinez
57th Governor-General of the Philippines

(1822–1825)

Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca
58th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1825–1830) |
63 | 1826–1828 | Manuel Rodriguez | Iloilo City |  Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca
58th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1825–1830) |
64 | 1829–1834 | Manuel Guillen | Iloilo City |  Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca
58th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1825–1830) Pasqual Enrile y Alcedo
59th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1830–1835) |
65 | 1835–1841 | Ambrosio del Callo | Iloilo City |  Pasqual Enrile y Alcedo
59th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1830–1835) Gabriel de Torres
60th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1835) Joaquín de Crame
61st (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1835) Pedro Antonio Salazar Castillo y Varona
62nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1835–1837) Andrés García Camba
63rd Governor-General of the Philippines

(1837–1838)

Luis Lardizábal
64th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1838–1841) Marcelino de Oraá Lecumberri
65th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1841–1843) |
66 | 1846–1852 | Felipe Combe | Iloilo City |  Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa
1st Count of Manila
67th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1844–1849) Antonio María Blanco
68th (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines (1849–1850) Juan Antonio de Urbiztondo
Marquis of La Solana
69th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1850–1853) |
67 | 1853–1855 | Pedro Zarraga | Iloilo City |  Juan Antonio de Urbiztondo
Marquis of La Solana
69th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1850–1853) Ramón Montero y Blandino
70th (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines(1853–1854) Manuel Pavía y Lacy
1st Marquess of Novaliches
71st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1854) Manuel Crespo y Cebrían
72nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1854–1856) | The town of Zarraga was named after him.
68 | 1856–1860 | Miguel Arila | Iloilo City |  Manuel Crespo y Cebrían
72nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1854–1856)
Ramón Montero y Blandino
70th Returning (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1856–1857)
Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero
73rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1857–1860)
Ramón María Solano y Llanderal
74th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1860)
Juan Herrera Dávila
75th (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines

(1860–1861)

69 | 1861 | Emilio Carles | Iloilo City |  Juan Herrera Dávila
75th (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1860–1861) José Lemery e Ibarrola Ney y González
76th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1861–1862) |
70 | 1862–1867 | Jose Maria Carles | Iloilo City |  José Lemery e Ibarrola Ney y González
76th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1861–1862) Salvador Valdés
(77th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1862) Rafaél de Echagüe y Bermingham
78th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1862–1865)
Joaquín del Solar e Ibáñez
(79th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1865) (1866)
Juan de Lara e Irigoyen
80th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1865–1866)
José Laureano de Sanz y Posse
(81st) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines (1866) Juan Antonio Osorio
(82nd) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines (1866) José de la Gándara y Navarro
83rd Governor-General of the Philippines (1866–1869) | The town of Carles was named after him when he approved the petition of the town leaders of Barrio Badiang converting it into a pueblo.
71 | 1868 | Anastacio de la Peña | Iloilo City |  José de la Gándara y Navarro
83rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1866–1869) |
72 | 1868–1869 | Manuel Iznart | Iloilo City |  José de la Gándara y Navarro
83rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1866–1869) Manuel Maldonado
(84th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1869) Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada
85th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1869–1871) | A street in Iloilo City was named after him as a former alcalde mayor of Iloilo
73 | 1870 | Eduardo Caballero | Iloilo City |  Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada
85th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1869–1871) |
74 | 1871 | Fernando Rojas | Iloilo City |  Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada
85th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1869–1871) Rafael Izquierdo y Gutiérrez
86th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1871–1873) |
75 | 1872–1879 | Enrique Fajardo | Iloilo City |  Rafael Izquierdo y Gutiérrez
86th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1871–1873) Manuel MacCrohon
(87th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1873) Juan Alaminos y Vivar
88th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1873–1874) Manuel Blanco Valderrama
(89th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1874) José Malcampo
3rd Marquess of San Rafael
90th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1874–1877) Domingo Moriones y Murillo
91st Governor-General of the Philippines
(1877–1880) |
76 | 1880–1881 | Camilo Millan | Iloilo City |  Rafael Rodríguez Arias
(92nd) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1880) Fernando Primo de Rivera, 1st Marquess of Estella
93rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1880–1883) |
77 | 1882–1883 | Miguel Aguilar | Iloilo City |  Fernando Primo de Rivera, 1st Marquess of Estella
93rd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1880–1883) Emilio Molíns
(94th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1883) Joaquín Jovellar y Soler
95th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1883–1885) |
78 | 1884 | Luis Zariaga | Iloilo City |  Joaquín Jovellar y Soler
95th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1883–1885) |
79 | 1885 | Luis Pratt | Iloilo City |  Joaquín Jovellar y Soler
95th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1883–1885) Emilio Molíns
(94th) Returning (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1885) Emilio Terrero y Perinat
96th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1885–1888) |
80 | 1889 | Pedro Montero | Iloilo City |  Valeriano Wéyler
1st Marquess of Tenerife
99th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1888–1891) |
81 | 1890 | Miguel Blanco | Iloilo City |  Valeriano Wéyler
1st Marquess of Tenerife
99th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1888–1891) |
82 | 1891 | Nicolas Jaramillo | Iloilo City |  Valeriano Wéyler
1st Marquess of Tenerife
99th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1888–1891) Eulogio Despujol y Dusay
1st Count of Caspe
100th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1891–1893) |
83 | 1892 | Jose Gramaren | Iloilo City |  Eulogio Despujol y Dusay
1st Count of Caspe
100th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1891–1893) |
84 | 1892–1896 | Francisco de Castilla | Iloilo City |  Eulogio Despujol y Dusay
1st Count of Caspe
100th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1891–1893) Federico Ochando
(101st) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1893) Ramón Blanco
1st Marquess of Peña Plata
102nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1893–1896) Camilo de Polavieja
1st Marquess of Polavieja
(103rd) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1896–1897) |
85 | 1896–1898 | Salvador Viana | Iloilo City |  Ramón Blanco
1st Marquess of Peña Plata
102nd Governor-General of the Philippines
(1893–1896) Camilo de Polavieja
1st Marquess of Polavieja
(103rd) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1896–1897) José de Lachambre
(104th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1897) Fernando Primo de Rivera, 1st Marquess of Estella
93rd (Re-Appointed) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1897–1898) Basilio Augustín
105th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Fermín Jáudenes
(106th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Francisco Rizzo
(107th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Diego de los Ríos
(108th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898–1899) |
86 | 1898 | Ricardo Monet | Iloilo City |  Fernando Primo de Rivera, 1st Marquess of Estella
93rd (Re-Appointed) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1897–1898) Basilio Augustín
105th Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Fermín Jáudenes
(106th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Francisco Rizzo
(107th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898) Diego de los Ríos
(108th) (Acting) Governor-General of the Philippines
(1898–1899) |

### American Commonwealth Period civil governors

[edit]

As the last Spanish politico-military governor (alcalde-mayor) of Iloilo province, Ricardo Monet who served during the last remaining months of 1898 appointed Martin Delgado as captain and commander of the 125-strong voluntarios in Sta. Barbara.

On August 13, 1898, the United States had already bought Manila, Philippines and agreed to spare Iloilo to Spain. Negotiations between the United States and Spain was finished. They made a mock drama on May 10, 1898, that an American vessel will fire a Spanish ship on Manila Bay then they will surrender to America not to a loose platoon of Emilio Aguinaldo in Intramuros. The Americans occupied Manila and raised their flag in Intramuros. Spain's dream is to establish a Spanish kingdom in Iloilo its loyal and devoted province and totally relinquish its right in the entire Philippines.

Gen. Pablo Araneta appointed Martin Delgado as "General en Jefe de los Tropas del Ejercito Libertador de Visayas y Governador Politico-Militar". On October 28, 1898, Delgado marched into Santa Barbara and took control of the municipal building.[6]

Meanwhile, Spanish governor-general Diego de los Ríos left Manila and sailed to Iloilo and established the last Spanish capital in the Orient in Iloilo City. General de los Rios asked Spain to grant some reforms demanded by the representative citizens of Iloilo. He issued in Iloilo a proclamation to the people of the Visayas calling on them to establish a "Council of Reforms" to be made up of 24 leading citizens, 12 of whom would be selected by popular vote, another 12 to be appointed by the general himself.[7]

General de los Rios was obviously sincere in bringing about the reforms people asked for. The granted reforms, however, satisfied only a few ilustrado leaders. Things did not turn out the way it should be. There was widespread oppositions of their offer. The flame of rebellion already swept Iloilo towns, Panay and Negros under Comite Conspirador. Their swift decision is to forego more battle and to peacefully grant sovereignty to Iloilo and to vacate the place and let Americans finished the job. If Ilonggos would have remained loyal to Spain, it would have not encountered the canons of the Americans.

On February 6, 1901, several days after the passage of the Municipal Code, the Philippine Commission passed the Act No. 83 or the Provincial Government Act. It states that every province shall have elected provincial governor. Election is also to be held to also elect a provincial secretary, a provincial treasurer, a provincial supervisor and a provincial fiscal.

On February 2, 1901, during the fiesta celebration of Jaro, General Delgado weary of war and poorly armed formally surrendered in Jaro to the American military governor Edmund Rice. Many of the rebel leaders surrendered.

He was recognized by the Americans as "the ablest leader" on the island. Delgado was appointed as the first governor of Iloilo province upon the establishment of the civil government on April 11, 1901. Jovito Yusay was given the provincial government secretary with a yearly stipend of $1,800 gold. Quintin Salas and his chief of staff. Lt. Col. Francisco Jalandoni were the last to lay down their arms on October 4, 1901.[8] Here are the governors of the province during the American Commonwealth Period.[9]

Order  | Term of office  | Portrait  | Name  | Origin  | Military Governor / Governor-General / President | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | 1901–1904  |  | Martín Teófilo Delgado | Sta. Barbara |  Arthur MacArthur Jr.
3rd US Military Governor
(1900–1901)
Adna Chaffee
4th US Military Governor
(1901–1902)
William Howard Taft
US Civil Governor
(1901–1904)
Luke Edward Wright
2nd American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1904–1905)

| The first civil governor of Iloilo being appointed by virtue of the Provincial Government Act by the Philippine Commission
2 | 1904–1906  |  | Raymundo Melliza | Molo |  Luke Edward Wright
2nd American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1904–1905)
Henry Clay Ide
3rd American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1905–1906)
James Francis Smith
4th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1906–1909)

| The only Filipino who served as a magistrate in the Supreme Court of Cuba.
3 | 1906–1908  |  | Benito Lopez | Jaro |  Henry Clay Ide
3rd American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1905–1906)
James Francis Smith
4th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1906–1909)

| He was the first Ilonggo civil governor to be assassinated while in office. He was literally shot in his office at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
4 | 1908–1912  |  | Ruperto Montinola | Jaro |  James Francis Smith
4th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1906–1909)
William Cameron Forbes
5th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1909–1913)

5 | 1912–1914  |  | Adriano Hernández y Dayot | Dingle |  William Cameron Forbes
5th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1909–1913)
Newton W. Gilbert
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1913)

Francis Burton Harrison
6th American Governor-General of the Philippines(1913–1921) | He resigned from his gubernatorial post halfway through his term of office after the American colonial government offered to appoint him as the first Filipino Director of Agriculture. He instead requested that he first be appointed as Assistant Director of Agriculture.
6 | 1914–1916  |  | Amando Avanceña | Molo |  Francis Burton Harrison
6th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1913–1921)

7 | 1917–1922  |  | Gregorio Yulo | Molo |  Francis Burton Harrison
6th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1913–1921)
Charles Yeater
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1921)
Leonard Wood
7th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1921–1927)

8 | 1922–1925  |  | Ruperto Montinola | Jaro |  Leonard Wood
7th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1921–1927)

9 | 1925–1927  |  | José Ledesma | Jaro |  Leonard Wood
7th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1921–1927)
Eugene Allen Gilmore
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1927)
Henry L. Stimson
8th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1927 1929)

10 | 1927–1928  |  | José López-Vito | Jaro |  Henry L. Stimson
8th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1927 1929)

| Appointed governor
11 | 1928–1929  |  | Mariano Pidal Arroyo | Molo |  Henry L. Stimson
8th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1927–1929)
Eugene Allen Gilmore
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1929)

| He was forced to resign his post becoming the first provincial governor to be forcibly resigned.
12 | 1929–1931  |  | Alejo Aquino | Jaro |  Eugene Allen Gilmore
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1929)
Dwight F. Davis
9th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1929–1932) |
13 | 1931–1934  |  | José Regalado Yulo | Molo |  Dwight F. Davis
9th American Governor-General of the Philippines (1929–1932)
George C. Butte
(Acting) American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1932)
Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
10th American Governor-General of the Philippines
(1932–1933)
Frank Murphy
11th American Governor-General of the Philippines

(1933–1935)

14 | 1934–1937  |  | Timoteo Y. Consing, Sr. | Molo |  Frank Murphy
11th American Governor-General of the Philippines

1st US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1933–1936)
J. Weldon Jones
(Acting) US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1936–1937)
Paul V. McNutt
2nd US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1937–1939)
Manuel L. Quezon
1st President of the Philippine Commonwealth

(1935–1944)

| Appointed governor
15 | 1938–1941  |  | Tomás Confesor | Cabatuan |  Paul V. McNutt
2nd US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1937–1939)
Francis Bowes Sayre Sr.
3rd US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1939–1942)
Manuel L. Quezon
1st President of the Philippine Commonwealth

(1935–1944)

16 | 1941–1942  |  | Óscar Ledesma | Jaro |  Francis Bowes Sayre Sr.
3rd US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1939–1942)
Manuel L. Quezon
1st President of the Philippine Commonwealth (1935–1945)
Harold L. Ickes
4th US High Commissioner to the Philippines

(1942–1945)

### World War II governors

[edit]

These were the provincial governors of Iloilo during World War II.

Order  | Term of office  | Portrait  | Name  | Origin  | High Commissioner / Military Governor / President | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

17 | 1942–1944  |  | Fermín Caram | Beirut |  Francis Bowes Sayre Sr.
3rd US High Commissioner to the Philippines
(1939–1942)
Harold L. Ickes
4th US High Commissioner to the Philippines (1942–1945)
Masaharu Homma
1st Japanese Military Governor
(1942)
Shizuichi Tanaka
2nd Japanese Military Governor
(1942–1943)
Shigenori Kuroda
3rd Japanese Military Governor (1943–1944)
Tomoyuki Yamashita
The 4th and Last Japanese Military Governor
(1944–1945)
Jose P. Laurel
Philippine Puppet Republic President

(1943–1945)

| Governor under the Japanese Sponsored Government. Known as the Grand Old Man of Iloilo. He saved Iloilo City from heavy bombings by the American forces by asking to put a big "NO MORE JAPS" message on the balcony of his house for the pilot to see his message, therefore, stopping the continued devastation of the city.
18 | 1942–1945  |  | Tomás Confesor | Cabatuan |  Francis Bowes Sayre Sr.
3rd US High Commissioner to the Philippines
(1939–1942)
Harold L. Ickes
4th US High Commissioner to the Philippines
(1942–1945)
Masaharu Homma
1st Japanese Military Governor
(1942)
Shizuichi Tanaka
2nd Japanese Military Governor
(1942–1943)
Shigenori Kuroda
3rd Japanese Military Governor
(1943–1944)
Tomoyuki Yamashita
The 4th and Last Japanese Military Governor (1944–1945)
Jose P. Laurel
Philippine Puppet Republic President

(1943–1945)

| Provincial Governor under the Civil Resistance Government

### Post-war to present governors

[edit]

These are the governors of the province after the war up to the present.[10]

Order  | Term of office  | Portrait  | Name  | Origin  | Vice-Governor  | President | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

19 | 1945  |  | Patricio Confesor | Cabatuan |  |  Jose P. Laurel
Sergio Osmeña |
20 | 1945  |  | José Ledesma | Jaro |  |  Jose P. Laurel
Sergio Osmeña |
21 | 1946–1948  |  | Tomás Vargas | Janiuay |  |  Manuel Roxas |
22 | 1948–1959  |  | Mariano Peñaflorida | Pototan |  |  Manuel Roxas
Elpidio Quirino
Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos P. Garcia |
23 | 1960–1963  |  | José Zulueta | Molo | Guardalino Mosqueda Elected (Jan 1, 1960 – Dec 31, 1963) |  Carlos P. Garcia
Diosdado Macapagal |
24 | 1964–1969  |  | Rafael Palmares | Passi | Conrado Norada Elected (Jan 1, 1964 – Dec 31, 1967)
Re-Elected (Jan 1, 1968 – Sep 10, 1969)
Fortunato Padilla Succeeded (Sep 11, 1969 – Dec 31, 1971) |  Diosdado Macapagal
Ferdinand Marcos |
25 | 1969–1986  |  | Conrado Norada | Miagao | Fortunato Padilla Succeeded (Sep 11, 1969 – Dec 31, 1971)
Ramon Duremdes Elected (Jan 1, 1972 – Dec 31, 1975) PD 826 (Jan 1, 1976 – May 31, 1980)Elected (Jun 1, 1981 – Feb 26, 1986) |  Ferdinand Marcos |
26 | 1986–1987  |  | Licurgo Tirador | Pototan | Carlos Lopez Jr. Appointed (May 8, 1986 – Nov 26, 1986)
Simplicio Griño Appointed (Dec 22, 1986 – Mar 31, 1987) |  Corazon Aquino | Appointed governor
27 | 1987–1992  |  | Simplicio Griño | Oton | Ramon Lopez Jr. Appointed (Apr 9, 1987 – Jan 31, 1988)
Ramon Duremdes Elected (Feb 1, 1988 – Apr 1990)
Robert Maroma Acting Capacity (May 1990 – Mar 1992) |  Corazon Aquino |
28 | 1992  |  | Feliciano Marañon | Leganes | Ramon Duremdes Elected (Apr 1992 – Jun 30, 1992) |  Corazon Aquino | Acting Capacity
29 | 1992–2001  |  | Arthur Defensor Sr. | Mina | Robert Maroma Elected (Jun 30, 1992 – Jun 30, 1995)
Demetrio Sonza Elected (Jul 1, 1995 – Jun 30 1998) Re-Elected (Jun 30, 1998 – Jun 30, 2001) |  Fidel Ramos
Joseph Estrada
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
30 | 2001–2010  |  | Niel Tupas Sr. | Ajuy | Roberto Armada Elected (June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007)
Rolex Suplico Elected (June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010) |  Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
31 | 2010–2019  |  | Arthur Defensor Sr. | Mina | Oscar Richard Garin Jr. Elected (Jun 30, 2010 – Jun 30, 2013)
Raul Tupas Elected (June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016)
Christine Garin Elected (June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019) |  Benigno Aquino III
Rodrigo Duterte |
32 | 2019–present  |  | Arthur Defensor Jr. | Mina | Christine Garin  Elected (June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025)
Nathalie Ann Debuque Elected (June 30, 2025-Present) |  Rodrigo Duterte
Bongbong Marcos |

## See also

[edit]

* List of vice governors of Iloilo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr". Province of Iloilo Official Website Of the Provincial Government of Iloilo. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
2. ^ Dr. de Morga, Antonio (1609). Book of Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.
3. ^ de San Agustin, Gaspar. Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas (1565–1615). Madrid.
4. ^ Monografias de los Pueblos de Iloilo. Iloilo City: University of San Agustin Publishing House. 2016.
5. ^ Lujan, Nereo Cajilig (November 3, 2017). "Governors of Iloilo". Retrieved September 3, 2019 – via Facebook.
6. ^ Salvilla, Rex S. 12 Interesting Facts about West Visayas. Iloilo City.
7. ^ Henry Armbrust (October 3, 1898). "Aguinaldo Wants His Army Paid". The San Francisco Call. Retrieved September 3, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
8. ^ Foreham, John (September 1905). The Philippine Islands Third Edition.
9. ^ Manuel David and Ramon Campos (1937). Panay Directory and Souvenir Book. Ramon Roces Publications, Inc. Manila. Retrieved September 7, 2019.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
10. ^ Felix Regalado and Quintin Franco (1973). History of Panay. Central Philippine University. Iloilo City.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

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