Friday, September 16, 2011

New SC Justice

Supreme Court of the Philippines

CA Justice Perlas-Bernabe is New SC Justice

Posted: September 16, 2011; By Jay B. Rempillo

Court of Appeals Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe was named by MalacaƱang today as new associate justice of the Supreme Court to complete the 15-member High Tribunal.

Justice Perlas-Bernabe replaced Justice Conchita Carpio Morales who, after retiring last June, 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 graduating magna 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 NHMFC. 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 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.

She was the Bar examiner in Mercantile Law in 2007.

She is married to Ricardo C. Bernabe, Jr. with whom she has children namely Ericia and Ricardo III.