MANILA -- Jhong Hilario returned to "It's Showtime" on Tuesday, two weeks after he was elected councilor for the first district of Makati.

"Alam niyo sasamantalahin ko na itong pagkakataon na ito: Gusto kong magpasalamat sa inyong lahat. Naging parte kayo kung bakit ako nanalo, naging parte ang 'Showtime' dahil sa pagmamahal na ibinigay niyo sa akin at ipinakita ko dito sa 'Showtime' na talagang tinangkilik ng taga-Makati. Kaya maraming maraming salamat," Hilario said.

"Jhong, you make us so proud," Vice Ganda told him.

"We are so proud of you, We are so happy to have you as our friend and alam kong mabuti kang tao kaya hindi mo kami ipapahiya. Maswerte ang Makati," Billy Crawford added.

Hilario left "It's Showtime" last April after more than four years.

After his election win, Hilario has said he will be taking a short break first but stressed that he's not closing his doors on showbiz projects.