He was born in Bangued, Abra, Philippines. He graduated from the law school of Manila in 1907. He was admitted to the bar the same year and practiced in Manila. He was appointed fourth prosecuting attorney on July 9, 1908, first prosecuting attorney on November 1, 1913, and served until March 1, 1917. He later served on the faculty and became dean of the law school of Manila from 1913 to 1917.