Ted Failon to leave ABS-CBN, network confirms

Ted Failon, one of the leading anchors of ABS-CBN, is leaving the network after 30 years, the beleaguered broadcast giant confirmed on Sunday, August 30.

This comes after allies of President Rodrigo Duterte shut down the network in the latest attack on press freedom in the Philippines. While Failon is said to be moving to another network, hundreds of other ABS-CBN workers have been left jobless especially after ABS-CBN’s regional stations went off air.

Rappler earlier reported, citing at least two sources, that Failon is moving to the radio station of rival network TV5. He is reportedly jumping ship along with his radio co-host DJ Chacha, whose real name is Czarina Balba.

“Multi-awarded broadcast journalist Ted Failon is leaving ABS-CBN after 30 years. He will make his final appearance on TV Patrol and Failon Ngayon sa TeleRadyo on August 31,” confirmed ABS-CBN in a statement.

ABS-CBN however did not confirm if Failon is indeed moving to Radyo5, the radio station of the Pangilinan-owned TV5.

“The closure of ABS-CBN’s radio broadcast operations led to his painful decision and we respect it. We admire Ted’s talent, passion, and commitment to radio as his most effective medium in serving the Filipino people,” the network added.

“We thank Ted for his many years of dedication and service as a Kapamilya broadcast journalist. He will always be a Kapamilya. We wish him well on his journey,” ABS-CBN said.

TV Patrol, which Failon co-anchors with former vice president Noli de Castro and Bernadette Sembrano, is the Philippines’ most popular newscast.

Failon Ngayon meanwhile aired on dzMM for over a decade and underwent several transitions – from Tambalang Failon at Sanchez, with broadcaster Korina Sanchez, and Tambalang Failon and Webb, with anchor Pinky Webb, to its current title.

Other ABS-CBN radio hosts have also left the network following the government’s shutdown of the Lopez-owned media conglomerate. – with reports from Camille Elemia/Rappler.com