A native of Ciudad Rodrigo, Fernando de Silva was a knight of the Order of Santiago.

Later he was named interim governor of the Philippines by the viceroy of New Spain, Rodrigo Pacheco y Osorio, marqués de Cerralvo.

The Spanish royal Council of State sent to King Philip IV on March 7, 1625, a report on the appointment of a governor for the Philippines to replace Alonso Fajardo y Tenza.

In 1623 Fajardo had sought permission to return to Spain, asking for a better office as a reward for his services and those of his father and other ancestors.

The report claimed that the Audiencia of Manila had exceeded its authority, was beset by dissension, and had governed badly in the year it had been in charge.

Silva reported that the additional tax had greatly decreased trade, and recommended that it be abolished.

Silva's report also contained the news that the Dutch were building a fort in Formosa (Taiwan), with the aid of the Chinese there.

Silva's second report to the king was dated July 31, 1626, days after he had been replaced as governor by Juan Niño de Tabora.

Silva had ordered the construction of a rival Spanish fort in northern Taiwan, at 25° N latitude.