Pedro de Rojas facts for kids

Pedro de Rojas was a Spanish lawyer and government official. He worked in the Philippines and New Spain (which is now Mexico). For about 40 days in 1593, he was the temporary governor of the Philippines.

Pedro de Rojas first came to the Philippines in 1584. He was part of the Audiencia of Manila, which was like a high court. In 1590, he became the lieutenant assessor. This was a very important job in the colony.

Pedro de Rojas: A Brief Time as Governor

A Sudden Change in Leadership

In 1593, the governor at the time, Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, led a Spanish trip. They sailed from Manila to capture a fort in the Moluccas islands. Governor Pérez Dasmariñas put Diego Ronquillo in charge of military matters in Manila. He put Pedro de Rojas in charge of civil (non-military) matters.

Two days after the governor left Manila, something unexpected happened. The governor's ship was taken over by its Chinese rowers. They killed most of the people on board, including Governor Pérez Dasmariñas. The rowers then sailed the ship away, hoping to reach China.

The Search for a New Governor

News of the governor's death quickly reached Manila. The people and soldiers who stayed behind met at Pedro de Rojas's house. They decided to elect Rojas as the new governor and captain general. They also sent two fast ships to chase the stolen galley, but they could not find it. Rojas sent a message to Luis Pérez Dasmariñas, the governor's son. Luis Pérez was away with the expedition. Rojas told him about his election and asked him to return to Manila right away. The city was almost unprotected.

Governor Pérez Dasmariñas had a special order from the king. This order said he should choose someone to take over if he died. He had shown this order to several important Spaniards. He made them think they might be the chosen successor. Both his son, Luis Pérez, and Captain Estevan Rodríguez de Figueroa expected to be chosen. Both of them had been with the governor on the Moluccas trip. They both rushed back to Manila to take control.

Rojas started looking through the old governor's papers to find the document. This document would name the official successor. The papers were kept in a monastery in Manila. But the head of the monastery did not trust Rojas. He secretly hid the important document.

About 40 days after Rojas was elected, Luis Pérez and Estevan Rodríguez arrived in the harbor. They had many men with them. They did not get off their ships. Luis Pérez ordered another search for the missing document. This time, it was found! It clearly named Luis Pérez as his father's successor. The city leaders then took back their recognition of Rojas. They gave the government to Luis Pérez instead. Luis Pérez's soldiers and fleet supported this decision. Pedro de Rojas left office, after being governor for 40 days.

Soon after, Pedro de Rojas was replaced as lieutenant assessor by Antonio de Morga. Antonio de Morga had been sent from Spain. Pedro de Rojas was then promoted to a new job. He became an alcalde (a type of judge or mayor) in Mexico City.