ON SEPTEMBER 24, 1669, Manuel de Leon took possession of the Philippines as new governor-general. He was appointed by royal provision on June 24, 1668 and arrived in Manila on September 24, 1669.
During his time the seeds of cacao were brought to the Philippines and planted first in Carigara, Leyte. De Leon extended the commerce of the islands to China, India, and Java, and thus enabled the citizens of Manila to attain unusual wealth and prosperity.
On April 11, 1677 (according to Concepcion’s account from his Hist. de Philipinas, vii, pp. 258, 259), Governor Manuel de Leon died due to excessive obesity. De Leon left all his property for charitable purposes.
Casimiro Diaz from his Conquistas said that Governor General Manuel de Leon died on the night of April 8, 1676. Diaz’s account in Pages 157-161 of The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 Volume XLII, (1670-1700), edited by Blair, tells how de Leon died.
On account of his death, the senior auditor, Don Francisco de Coloma, took charge of the government, in company with auditors Don Francisco de Mansilla and Don Diego Calderón y Serrano for civil affairs.
