His term in office was distinguished by a campaign against fraud and corruption in the government, and reform of the royal treasury and tax collection.

He took steps to strengthen the mita, the forced labor of Indigenous in the silver mines, and thus to stimulate the production of the metal.

He sent to jail the Count of San Juan de Lurigancho, director of the mint, as well as the assayer, for producing false coins.

The governor of Paraguay, Diego de los Reyes Balmaseda, was an unpopular supporter of the Jesuits.

Antequera, however, gained the support of the comuneros, challenged royal authority, imprisoned Reyes Balmaceda and expelled the Jesuits.

[2] In 1736, Armendáriz turned over the office to his successor, José Antonio de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Villagarcía.

The ex-viceroy returned to Spain, became captain of the king's guard, and was elected a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1737.