Commissioner Elihu A. Ybañez is recognized for his distinguished tenure as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals from May 23, 2007 to November 2, 2021.
He began his career in the legal field in 1979 as a Trial Attorney for four years before transitioning into government service as a Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor General for 15 years. In 1994, he became the Presiding Judge at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 9, Balayan, Batangas before assuming the role of Executive Judge for over 13 years. A graduate of San Beda College of Law, he has received several recognitions for his legal acumen, including a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from Logos University International in Miami, Florida.
Beyond his legal endeavors, Commissioner Ybañez holds the rank of Brigadier General as a commissioned officer with the Air Force Reserve of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was a former Wing Commander of the 1st Air Force Wing Reserve, National Capital Region (NCR). Furthermore, he earned his Master’s Degree in National Security Administration (MNSA) from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). He also completed a Master Level Curriculum for field grade officers at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Bonifacio from 1991-1992. More notably, during his active duty in the Southern Command Mindanao in 2002, he participated in various security operations in Zamboanga and Basilan where he earned numerous awards and medals.
Commissioner Ybañez is deeply devoted to his family, serving as a loving husband and father to four children and seven grandchildren.