JUDGE & JUSTICE ADVOCATE
Judge Maritess B. Gumahin has built a distinguished career in public service and the justice system, dedicating her professional life to protecting the vulnerable and upholding the rule of law. Since 2019, she has served as Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in Bacolod City, where she presides over family court cases involving children, women, and teens seeking justice and protection. Before her appointment to the judiciary, she served as Senior Assistant City Prosecutor at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Bacolod City from 2013 to 2019, where she handled criminal prosecutions and worked closely with families and law enforcement. Earlier in her career, she was a Public Attorney II at the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) from 2005 to 2013, providing legal assistance to indigent clients and ensuring access to justice for those who could not afford legal representation. She began her legal career as an Associate at Rodrigo, Berenguer and Guno Law Offices in Makati City from 2004 to 2005.
Judge Gumahin credits her Lasallian education with shaping her perspective on justice and public service. For her, the law is not simply a system of rules but a means of serving people and protecting human dignity. In her courtroom, every case represents real lives—children seeking protection from abuse, families navigating custody and adoption, and women seeking justice and safety. Guided by Lasallian values, she strives to ensure that the legal process is not only fair and impartial but also humane, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of those who seek justice.
The values she upholds include:
As a wife, daughter, sister, and mother of three Lasallian boys, she reflects on her actions with a guiding question: Would St. John Baptist de La Salle be proud? This quiet reflection serves as her moral compass both in the courtroom and in daily life.
Judge Gumahin encourages women to embrace leadership with confidence and purpose:
