The gobernadorcillo was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo. In a coastal town, the gobernadorcillo functioned as a port captain. They were appointed through an exclusive nomination provided by the Spanish law. Their term of office lasted for two years.
Extant record in the National Archives in Manila showing the 1855 election results in the province of Iloilo. This page shows the names of the gobernadorcillos elected by the principalía of Ajuy, Banate, and Barotac Viejo.
Abbreviated Spanish coat of arms at the entrance of Fort Santiago in Manila (reconstruction).
Principalía of Leganes, Iloilo c. 1880, in formal marching formation on a special occasion.
Captaincy General of the Philippines
The Captaincy General of the Philippines was an administrative district of the Spanish Empire in Southeast Asia governed by a governor-general as a dependency of the Viceroyalty of New Spain based in Mexico City until Mexican independence when it was transferred directly to Madrid.
Reception of the Manila Galleon by the Chamorro in the Ladrones Islands, ca. 1590 Boxer Codex
Magellan landing site in Umatac Bay
Fort San Pedro was first of many fortresses to protect the islands from invaders such as pirates and other colonizers.
Fort Santiago, part of Intramuros, Manila
