PERLAS-BERNABE, ESTELA M.; Plaridel, Bulacan; May 4, 1977; Roll No.

27525
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/baradmission/lawlist/index.php

On September 16, 2011, the appointment of then Court of Appeals Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe as
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court completed the 15-member High Tribunal before the year ended.
Justice Perlas-Bernabe replaced Justice Conchita Carpio Morales who, after retiring in June 2011, has
since been named Ombudsman.

The 59-year old native of Plaridel, Bulacan completed her pre-law studies, Bachelor of Science in
Commerce, at St. Paul College Manila graduatingmagna cum laude in 1972. After earning her law degree
from the Ateneo College of Law, graduating salutatorian, and passing the Bar in 1976, she immediately
joined the Judiciary as Technical Assistant in the office of then Justice Lorenzo Relova. From 1978 to
1993, she engaged in private legal practice working for China Banking Corp., Paramount Finance Corp.,
and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation. She later became a senior partner in Bernabe
Perlas Morte & Associates from 1993 to 1996.

The year 1996 signaled her return to the Judiciary as she was named Metropolitan Trial Court Judge of
the Makati City, Branch 66. In 2000, she was promoted to Regional Trial Court, Makati City, Branch 142.
She was promoted to the CA on March 15, 2004.

She has been teaching Practice Court and Evidence at the Ateneo College of Law since 2009. Among her
many awards are the Court of Appeals Award for Exemplary Performance, CA Award of Recognition for
Outstanding Performance in Case Disposition; Best Written Decision-Municipal/Metropolitan Trial
Court from the Philippine Women Judges Association; Natatanging Babaeng Hukom-Municipality of
Plaridel, Bulacan; and Gawad Parangal 2008 as Outstanding Alumna for Dedicated Service to Country
and People-St. Paul University Manila; and Huwaran Anak ng Bulakan and Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar
Awards in 2011.
She was the Bar Examiner in Mercantile Law in 2007.

Estela Bernabe
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/09/16/profile-of-the-new-supreme-court-justice-estela-m-
perlas-bernabe/

Estela Perlas-Bernabe
171st Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 16, 2011
Appointed by Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by Conchita Carpio-Morales
Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals
In office
March 15, 2004 – September 16, 2011
Appointed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Regional Trial Court Judge for Branch 142 of Makati
City
In office
2000–2004
Appointed by Joseph Ejercito-Estrada
Metropolitan Trial Court Judge for Branch 66 of Makati
City
In office
1996–2000
Appointed by Fidel V. Ramos
 Personal details
Born May 14, 1952 (age 65)
Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines
Spouse(s) Atty. Ricardo C. Bernabe, Jr
Alma mater Ateneo de Manila University
St. Paul College, Manila
Estela Perlas-Bernabe (born May 14, 1952) is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines and the third appointee to the High Court of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.[1]
Background[edit]
Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe was born in Plaridel, Bulacan. She earned her Bachelor of Science in
Commerce major in Banking and Finance magna cum laude at St. Paul College of Manila and earned her
law degree from the Ateneo de Manila Law School graduating as Class Salutatorian in 1976. She passed
the bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.
Early Judicial Posts[edit]
Justice Perlas-Bernabe has served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City from January
2000 to March 2004, Metropolitan Trial Court Judge of the same City from March 1996 to January 2000,
and as Technical Assistant in the Office of the Court Administrator, Supreme Court of the Philippines
from 1977 to 1979. She also worked in various private and government offices, namely, as Legal
Assistant, Legal Department of China Banking Corporation (1979–1980); Senior Manager, Legal
Department of Paramount Finance Corp. (1980–1987); Legal Manager and Corporate Secretary/ Legal
Consultant of the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp. (1990–1993); and Senior Partner of
Bernabe Perlas Morte and Associates (1993–1996).[2]
Associate Justice (2011-present)[edit]
Bernabe was the third appointee of President Benigno Aquino III to the Supreme Court of the
Philippines as an associate justice on September 16, 2011. She replaced then Justice Conchita Carpio
Morales, who retired from the Bench on June 19, 2011 to assume the position of Ombudsman of the
Philippines. She voted in favor of the burial of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the
Libingan ng Mga Bayani.
External links[edit]
 Profile of the new Supreme Court Justice, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe
References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Profile of the new Supreme Court Justice, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe
2. Jump up^ Aquino appoints new SC associate justice

Legal offices
Associate Justice of the Supreme
Preceded by
Court of the Philippines Incumbent
Conchita Carpio-Morales
September 16, 2011–present