[4] He married Maria Matilda Valera y Canada and they had a son, Roman Angel Emeterio Sanchez Ochando y Chumillas, who was born in 1867.

His participation in the March to Cuba during the Ten Years' War earned him the rank of brigadier general in 1878.

[8] Ochando would be one of the most notable personalities from the town of Casas-Ibáñez, who was also a leader of the Liberal Party during his political career.

[12] However, prior to taking his seat as deputy, he was appointed as the 110th Governor-General of the Philippines, replacing Eulogio Despujol y Dusay on 1 March 1893.

The dismissal of Despujol was attributed to the new liberal government, with Práxedes Mateo Sagasta as Prime Minister of Spain.

There were rumors that Ochando gave orders to Sitges for tightening Rizal's security and to shoot the prisoner if he escaped.

Soon enough, Ramón Blanco, 1st Marquess of Peña Plata assumed office as the new Governor-General of the Philippines in the same year.

[13][14] After his return to Spain due to illness, he was appointed military governor of Madrid in 1894 and promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in 1895.

The following year, he arrived in Cuba as Valeriano Weyler's chief of staff and participated in the Spanish campaign during the Cuban War of Independence.

[15] Among his activities as senator include requesting ratings for Ministers of the Crown,[17] and propose increasing the benefits for members of the armed forces.