MANILA - Jhong Hilario made his farewell message short and sweet.

During an episode of "It's Showtime" aired Wednesday, the 39-year-old actor-host announced his decision to leave the noontime program after more than four years.

"Last day ko na ngayon," he told his co-hosts and the studio audience. "Mami-miss ko kayo. Gusto kong magpasalamat [sa inyong lahat]. Direk Bobet [Vidanes], thank you po sa lahat."

Hilario, who is running for councilor in Makati City in the upcoming elections under the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA, did not explain his decision.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News back in October, Hilario credited his father, Makati councilor Virgilio Hilario, as his main influence in joining politics.

"Tapos na ang term niya and ako kasi lumaki ako na nasa pulitika ang daddy ko -- 18 years siyang naging barangay captain at nine years siyang naging councilor ng Makati -- at never akong nakarinig na negative na sinasabi sa kanya," he said.

"So habang lumalaki ako ay na-realize ko ang tao pala ay iba-iba. May mga taong nilikha para magsilbi sa mga tao," he added.

Prior to Hilario, hosts Coleen Garcia and Eric "Eruption" Tai left the noontime program early this year.

Garcia said that she wanted to focus on her acting career, while Tai, based on his Instagram posts, joined the country's national rugby team.

A photo posted by Coleen Garcia 💋 (@coleengarcia) on Feb 25, 2016 at 3:16am PST

A photo posted by Eric Eruption Tai (@eruption23) on Mar 12, 2016 at 3:56am PST