The mystery surrounding the disappearance from the air of outspoken Filipina morning host Korina Sanchez has been solved.

In November, Sanchez was criticised by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper after she defended her husband Interior Secretary Mar Roxas over his command of the relief operations following Super Typhoon Haiyan (known as Yoland in the Philippines).

The powerful storm slammed into the Philippines killing more than 6,000 people and leaving millions homeless.

The host of the Rated Korina show on talk station DZMM has not resigned from the station following the controversy, says an official for owners ABS-CBN.

Instead the 49-year-old is taking a leave of absence to finish her Masters degree at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The company says the leave was planned in the middle of last year.

Sanchez started her career with DZMM, before moving on to host TV shows as well.