He went to high school in Cotabato City and took his college and law degrees from Silliman University.
While studying at Silliman, Justice Elbinias excelled in poetry, and in oratory, garnering awards such as Best Orator, Best Speaker and Best Debater in inter-collegiate contests.
[3] On January 31, 1987, the former President Corazon Aquino appointed him as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals.
[3] He was also appointed as member of the Board of Pardons and Parole, and as first chancellor of the Department of Justice Academy.
[3] He was a member of the IBP Journal editorial board, a member of the governing board of the Institute of Judicial Administration, a member of the SCRA board of editorial consultants, Ateneo professor in Trial Technique and Criminal and Civil Procedures, remedial law lecturer at the University of the Philippines Law Center, awardee of the Professorial Chair in Law at Far Eastern University, professorial lecturer at the Philippine Judicial Academy, adviser of the Philippine Association of Law Professors, president of the Philippine Judicature Society, publisher of The Judicature News, and editor of the Trial Lawyers Magazine.