Peninsulares are the group in Spanish colonial society who filled high government positions.
EXPLANATION:
Peninsulares are the Spanish high born. According to the caste system, Peninsulares were the high cast society and they had the extreme majority in filling the high government positions.
They were the immigrants from 16th and 18th century.
The high officers in every sector of government in America and Philippines were all taken lead by the Peninsulares.
In any hierarchy of government positions they were always at top.