MANILA, Philippines — News anchor Noli de Castro on Thursday announced that he was leaving ABS-CBN as he seeks a political comeback in the 2022 elections.
“This is my last day in Teleradyo,” De Castro said in Filipino during his morning program “Kabayan.”
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He made the announcement ahead of his oath-taking as a member of Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party that recently elected Manila City mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno as its president.
De Castro did not say which post he is seeking in next year’s polls, but ABS-CBN said the former vice president is eyeing a seat in Senate.
“Ako’y makikipagsapalaran sa bagong uri ng panunungkulan o public service pero tuloy tuloy ang ating public service. Pero itong pagkakataon na ito mas magiging malawak na po ang isasagawa kong public service kung susuwertihin sa tulong na rin ninyo,” he said.
(I will take a chance in a new form of public service but my service will continue. This time, it will broader, if I’m given a chance and through your help.)
De Castro previously topped the 2001 senatorial race, garnering 16.1 million votes. But he did not finish his six-year term after he was elected vice president in 2004.
During his term, he was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
De Castro returned to broadcasting after his vice presidential stint ended in 2010. He served as the anchor ABS-CBN's prime time newscast "TV Patrol" and hosted a morning radio program. — Gaea Katreena Cabico