Estela Marcelino Perlas-Bernabe (born May 14, 1952) is a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, serving from 2011 to 2022. She was the third appointee to the Supreme Court by President Benigno Aquino III on September 16, 2011.^[1]

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The Honorable Estela Perlas-Bernabe
Acting Chief Justice of the Philippines
In office March 27, 2021 – April 5, 2021
Preceded by	Diosdado Peralta
Succeeded by	Alexander Gesmundo
32nd Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office October 26, 2019 – May 14, 2022
Preceded by	Antonio Carpio
Succeeded by	Marvic Leonen
171st Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office September 16, 2011 – May 14, 2022
Appointed by	Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by	Conchita Carpio-Morales
Succeeded by	Maria Filomena Singh
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
In office 2000–2004
Appointed by	Joseph Ejercito-Estrada
Metropolitan Trial Court Judge for Branch 66 of Makati
In office 1996–2000
Appointed by	Fidel V. Ramos
Personal details
Born	Estela Marcelino Perlas (1952-05-14) May 14, 1952 (age 71) Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines
Spouse(s)	Ricardo C. Bernabe, Jr.
Alma mater	St. Paul College, Manila (BS) Ateneo de Manila University (LL.B.)

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Estela Perlas-Bernabe was born in Plaridel, Bulacan. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, 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 Philippine Bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.^{[citation needed]}

Perlas-Bernabe has served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati 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]

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 Conchita Carpio Morales, who retired from the Court on June 19, 2011, and later assumed the position of Ombudsman of the Philippines.

• Profile of the new Supreme Court Justice, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe