Elijo Sharon R. Herrera-Bellones: Iloilo judge champions women and children
ILOILO CITY—For Iloilo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Elijo Sharon R. Herrera-Bellones, justice is not merely an abstract ideal written in statutes and rulings—it is a responsibility she carries every day, especially for women and children whose voices often struggle to be heard in the legal system.
Since her appointment as presiding judge of RTC Branch 27 in 2019, Herrera-Bellones has made family law and the protection of vulnerable sectors central to her judicial mission.
As the Iloilo City RTC’s designated Family Court, her courtroom handles cases involving domestic violence, custody disputes, annulments, and violations of laws protecting children.
Recognizing the weight of these cases, Herrera-Bellones sees them as matters that directly affect families and communities.
“In my 21 years as a lawyer, I have come to realize that my advocacy is with women and their children—promoting and protecting their interests and ensuring justice becomes tangible,” she told the Inquirer.
Before joining the judiciary, Herrera-Bellones spent 15 years in private practice, handling family law disputes and providing legal services to victims of violence against women and children.
Standards
Her advocacy is influenced by her upbringing, her current family—including her husband, Rommel, also a lawyer, and their daughter Maria Eliza Consuelo—and her concurrent role as legal ethics teacher.
“I grew up in a very happy family. My parents exemplify unconditional love, which has always set my standard for relationships—not only in marriage but also in understanding love and how it should be expressed,” Herrera-Bellones said.
“Whenever those standards are not met, especially in cases of abuse or violence affecting families and children, I am drawn to ensure they are upheld,” she added.
Herrera-Bellones’ legal career formally began when she passed the bar in 2004, after earning her bachelor of laws degree from the University of San Agustin College of Law.
She later obtained a master of laws from the University of Santo Tomas, graduating summa cum laude in 2018 with a thesis on integrating renewable energy policies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.
Herrera-Bellones credits her success to her mentor, lawyer Ernesto Ladrido III, former undersecretary at the Department of Agrarian Reform, who emphasized leaving a legacy through how future lawyers are shaped.
Her first experience in court also reshaped her perception of judges.
Meeting then Judge Loida Diestro-Maputol at the Iloilo City Hall of Justice lobby challenged her expectation of judges as stern, male figures.
“She was welcoming and encouraging—it left a lasting impression on me,” Herrera-Bellones recalled.
Even before becoming a judge, she built a reputation for public service.
From 2007 to 2013, she served as provincial legal officer of the island province of Guimaras, advising the provincial government and representing it in court.
Herrera-Bellones also acted as provincial tourism officer and chaired the 2013 Guimaras Manggahan Festival, promoting the province as an agri-tourism destination.
Her work extended to the private sector as assistant legal counsel for Phinma Renewable Energy Corp., supporting the 54-megawatt San Lorenzo Wind Farm.
Education has been a constant thread in her career. Since 2006, she has taught law at the University of San Agustin, where students affectionately call her “Ma’am Elijo.”
She teaches Legal Ethics, Persons and Family Relations, and Succession—subjects shaping future lawyers’ understanding of justice, responsibility, and the law’s role in society.
Inspirational
“I aim to inspire students rather than instill fear, helping them recognize their potential,” Herrera-Bellones said.
According to her, legal ethics serves as the “north star” guiding future lawyers in their careers.
Herrera-Bellones’ diligence in the courtroom has earned national recognition. In October 2023, the Supreme Court commended her court for achieving a 160.32-percent case clearance rate—the third highest in Western Visayas region, the highest among second-level courts in Iloilo City and province, and the only one among the city’s RTCs.
This accomplishment reflects her commitment to ensuring timely and tangible justice.
“To make justice tangible, I focus on efficiently managing cases while taking the time to explain options and proceedings to the parties involved,” she said.
Her high clearance rate also benefits her staff, allowing them to finish work on time and achieve better balance in their professional and personal lives.
Beyond her courtroom work, Herrera-Bellones contributes to shaping family court policies nationwide.
In March 2025, she was appointed to the Supreme Court’s Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns–Technical Working Group. She remains active in mentoring young lawyers, guiding law students in moot court competitions, and promoting legal education initiatives.
For Herrera-Bellones, law is not just about doctrine or arguments. It is about people.
Her lifelong commitment to learning, teaching, and administering justice reflects a belief that the law must serve those who need its protection the most.
As a judge, educator, and advocate, she embodies a quiet but powerful leadership rooted in compassion, diligence, and an unwavering pursuit of justice for women, children, and families.
