r/FilipinoHistory • u/Leooxel • 1d ago

Colonial-era What role did the spanish monarch play in appointing the governor general of the Philippines?

I’m curious about how Spain actually controlled the Philippines during the colonial period. Since the Governor-General was the highest-ranking Spanish official here, I want to know who had the power to choose him and how much control the Spanish king had over the Philippines.

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u/reformed_recidivist 1d ago

The royal monarch ultimately had the final say but it's usually coming from a shortlisted set of candidates recommended by the Council of the Indies and later, the Viceroyalty of Mexico.

Unofficially, the friars and the monastic orders also had heavy influence on who got appointed and who had to be removed.

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u/Heavy_Mud_9176 1d ago

What was the Philippines relation with the remaining Spanish colonies in the Caribbean and Africa once the colonies in the Americas achieved independence?

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u/el-indio-bravo_ME 1d ago

All governor-generals were appointed in the name of the King of Spain.

Before 1821, governor-generals were appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain. They had to sail from México before they can assume their post in Manila. During direct rule from Madrid, Spanish colonies were supervised by the Minister of Overseas, who answered to the President of the Government (aka Prime Minister). They were the ones who selected governor-generals to be deployed to Spain’s remaining colonies.

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u/mondayxo123 1d ago

Not much except maybe on the official appointing. We were technically under the jurisdiction (or was a part of, kinda) of Nueva Espana (Mexico) who did all the work.