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]
