MANILA, Philippines — Veteran broadcaster Noli de Castro has not retired from ABS-CBN and remains on medical leave following surgery last year, the network’s head of news said Wednesday.
ABS-CBN head of news Francis Toral confirmed de Castro’s status during the listed media company’s stockholders’ meeting on Aug. 19, held through remote communication.
Toral said de Castro, known as “Kabayan,” plans to return to “TV Patrol” once he has fully recovered.
“Kabayan Noli de Castro remains on medical leave following his surgery last year, but he looks forward to returning once he is fully recovered,” Toral said.
De Castro has been absent from the primetime news program for an extended period, prompting questions about whether he had officially retired.
Toral said Alvin Elchico, Karen Davila and Bernadette Sembrano will continue anchoring “TV Patrol” while de Castro remains on leave. Other senior journalists will also handle news and special coverage.
De Castro’s daughter, Katherine, asked for prayers for her father in December 2025 as he prepared to undergo surgery for an undisclosed condition.
The broadcaster celebrated his 77th birthday in July.
In late 2024, de Castro also took a temporary leave from his television and radio programs after experiencing complications from sciatica, according to his daughter. He returned to hosting in 2025 but later went on another health-related leave.
Davila recently said on television that de Castro would return to “TV Patrol,” but ABS-CBN has yet to announce a specific date for his return.
