MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino has appointed Court of Appeals Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe as new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (SC), Malacañang announced yesterday.
Bernabe fills the lone vacancy at the High Tribunal brought about the retirement of Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales who was recently named the new Ombudsman.
A law graduate from Ateneo, Bernabe beat five other candidates recommended by the Judicial and Bar Council to the President.
“We congratulate Justice Estela Bernabe on her new appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace press briefing.
Prior to her appointment to the SC, Bernabe served as Court of Appeals justice since March 9, 2004.
Bernabe, who hails from Plaridel, Bulacan, was also regional trial court judge in Makati City from 2000 to 2004, a metropolitan trial court judge in the same city from 1996 to 2000, and technical assistant in the SC’s Court Administrator Office from 1977 to 1979.
She also worked in some private and public offices such as legal assistant at the China Banking Corporation, senior legal manager at the Paramount Finance Corp., legal consultant of the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp., and senior partner of Bernabe Perlas Morte and Associates. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)