The first governor appointed by the Spanish Crown was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, and during the American Era, Julio Llorente became governor on April 16, 1899, although Luis Flores and Arcadio Maxilom served in the same position in 1898 and 1899, respectively.

[1] On August 6, 1569, King Philip II appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as the first governor of the province of Cebu.

His appointment was conducted just a few years after the Spanish settlement was established in the island.

[2] The Cebu provincial government was divided into rival factions before the impending U.S. invasion in 1899.

The situation was further complicated when on March 29, 1899, General Arcadio Maxilom was appointed military governor during the resistance against the American forces.