Ted Failon

Mario Teodoro "Ted" Failon Etong (born March 29, 1962) is a multi-awarded Filipino broadcast journalist both on radio and television. He also served as a representative of the 1st district of Leyte from 2001 to 2004.

A broadcast journalist previously for ABS-CBN, he previously presented news for Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siyete alongside Noli de Castro, and on his own program Failon Ngayon sa DZMM. He also presented Hoy Gising!, the nightly news program TV Patrol from 2004 to 2020, and his own investigative program Failon Ngayon on television.

On August 30, 2020, ABS-CBN management confirmed that Failon decided to part ways with the network. He made his final appearance on TV Patrol and Failon Ngayon sa TeleRadyo on August 31 and was later replaced by Henry Omaga-Diaz as the main anchor on October 5, 2020, Karen Davila on October 11, 2021 and Noli de Castro returning to the said newscast for the 3rd time as the 4th main anchor on January 9, 2023.

He currently anchors Ted Failon at DJ Chacha sa Radyo5, a 4-hour news magazine program, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 92.3 Radyo5 True FM with Czarina Marie Guevara, more popularly known as DJ Chacha.

Controversy
In May 2009, the DOJ's Quezon City prosecutors’ office dismissed the Quezon City Police District criminal complaint for obstruction of justice against Failon, his driver, houseboy, nanny, housemaid and Trinidad’s sister Pamela Arteche. Earlier, Failon underwent criminal investigation in Camp Karingal. The NBI found Trinidad Arteche-Etong committed suicide. It sustained Failon's allegations that she committed suicide due to financial problems. The NBI's Neuro Psychiatric Section's psychological autopsy found Trinidad suffered constant insomnia with major depressive disorder. She suffered gunshot wound inside a bathroom of their house on No. 27 General Aquino Street, Tierra Pura Homes in Tandang Sora, Culiat, Quezon City in April 15 and died at the New Era General Hospital. In September 2011, an Information was filed against 5 Quezon City police officers with Judge Marie Christine Jacob, Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 100 for violation of Section 2 (b), R.A. 7438. In March 2016, in a 22-page joint decision, Judge Genie Gapas-Agbada of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 100 acquitted Quezon City Police District’s CIDU Senior Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, Superintendent Gerardo Ratuita, Chief Inspectors Cherry Lou Donato and Enrico Figueroa and Senior Inspector Roberto Razon.

In April 2014, advocacy group Kilusan Kontra Kabulukan at Katiwalian (4K) vehemently opposed the immediate conclusion of Trinidad Etong suicide case. 4K questioned the kasambahay's cleaning of the crime scene, the early and unexplained presence of Globe Asiatique's Delfin Lee before the arrival of the PNP SOCO and left-handed Trinidad's negativity for paraffin test or gunshot residue from the subject Walther PK380.

In July 2020, the Court of Appeals's Justice Pablito A. Perez, Twelfth Division denied the defamation complaint filed by Senator Francis Tolentino against Failon. The 2017 case stemmed from Failon's commentary of possible misuse of public funds when MMDA Tolentino purchased used motorcycles. The appellate court ordered the Cavite Regional Trial Court, Branch 18 to dismiss the criminal proceedings.

In July 2024, the Supreme Court has dismissed the indirect contempt against Failon. The court held that Failon's interview in a pending case between Satur Ocampo and Leandro Mendoza with STRADCOM Corporation is not contumacious and protected by the freedom of speech.