For the first time, three respected news icons in Philippine broadcast journalism are joining forces to strengthen “TV Patrol,” ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast and the leading news program in the country for the past 23 years.

Starting Monday (Nov 8), Korina Sanchez and Noli “Kabayan” De Castro will return to television to join Ted Failon in “TV Patrol” to form the most tried and tested news team ever assembled in the history of Philippine broadcasting.

The powerhouse team, all seasoned and working broadcast journalists, is collaborating to present news that matter to Filipinos all over the world and to give back to their kapamilya viewers by strengthening the public service commitment of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, the country’s most credible news organization based on a recent study by Pulse Asia.

Failon, in his 27 years in the industry, is the “Sandigan ng Bayan” for his commitment and focus on issues up to their resolution. Sanchez, on the other hand, is the intelligent and brave “Kakampi ng Bayan,” who has reported on the biggest news in the country since she started in ABS-CBN in 1986. She also holds the distinction of being the first female main anchor of “TV Patrol.”

De Castro, “Kabayan ng Pilipino,” returns with a wider knowledge of the workings of government after his stint as vice president of the Philippines. He started making a name on radio during the Martial Law years. Kabayan is also the original anchor of “TV Patrol,” and the hard-hitting investigative show, “Magandang Gabi Bayan.”

“TV Patrol” is the country’s number one primetime newscast in the country with an average rating of 32.6% in September beating GMA’s “24 Oras,” according to Kantar Media. When it comes to news, most Filipinos say ABS-CBN is the most credible TV network in the country as seen in the results of a Pulse Asia nationwide survey. 72% of the Filipinos believe ABS-CBN gave the most credible TV news coverage of the May 2010 elections, higher than GMA, which had only 63% believing in its credibility, and TV 5’s 32%.

In line with this development, the Kapamilya network is also beefing up its late night newscast “Bandila,” and has offered ABS-CBN news veterans Julius Babao and Karen Davila to join Ces Drilon as anchors.

Drilon, Babao, and Davila will provide deeper analysis and extended coverage of the day’s biggest news in “Bandila.”

For news that matters to every Filipino, tune in to the newscasts that stand by the truth and the good of the people. Watch Ted Failon, Korina Sanchez, and Noli De Castro in “TV Patrol,” on primetime nights, as well as Ces Orena Drilon, Julius Babao, and Karen Davila in “Bandila” late evening, from Mondays to Fridays in ABS-CBN.