Like his predecessor, Bishop de Espeleta was born in Manila and studied for the priesthood in the Royal College of San Jose. After his ordination on June 28, 1755, he was appointed Prebendary of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila subsequently becoming the head of the Deanery. In October 1756 he was appoint-ed Bishop of Cebu and consecrated in September 1759 in the Church of the Society of Jesus in Manila by the Bishop of Nueva Caceres, Manuel de la Con-cepcion Matos, O.F.M. He was already 59 years of age.
On account of his rank and nobility, the Spanish Crown appointed him Governor and Captain General of the Philippines and then President of the Royal Audiencia. According to the Historian Gobantes (Historia de Filipinas, p. 276), he fulfilled the above civil responsibilities while he was at the same time Bishop of Cebu. In 1761 these offices in the government were transferred to the Archbishop of Manila, Manuel Rojo. Governor General Simon de Anda y Salazaron March 16, 1763 nominated him for the appointment as Governor and Captain General of the Visayas.