Career
Montalvo obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Quito. He also was a deputy to the 1906 Constituent Convention of Ecuador. Aside from his political functions Montalvo was a professor of law at the Central University of Ecuador and the Rector of the Colegio Nacional Mejía.
Montalvo became president when his predecessor Juan de Dios Martínez Mera was elected President but faced a congress not willing to deal with him.
The congress asked Martínez Mera twice to resign, but he refused. The congress then censored the ministers chosen by Martínez Mera, one of which was Abelardo Montalvo.
Martínez proceeded to select some new ministers to outmaneuver the congress. The Chamber of Deputies then accused Martínez Mera of attempting to overthrow the government and institute a dictatorship.
The Senate subsequently impeached Martínez and named his Minister of Interior, Abelardo Montalvo, acting president
Montalvo stayed on as acting president until José María Velasco Ibarra was elected.