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MANILA — Former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves on Friday said he would join the Senate investigation on the killing of his political rival Roel Degamo.

The Senate on Monday will open its inquiry into the March 4 assassination of the Negro Oriental governor in his residential compound.

"Dadalo [ako]. I’m already preparing my antigen test and I’m already trying to get a ticket on Sunday. Hopefully, dadalo with my lawyer Atty. Fortun po," Teves told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

"Physically we would be there," he added.

Teves served as governor of Negros Oriental until Degamo unseated him last October following a recount of the May 2022 gubernatorial race. He said that since his voluntary exit from the governorship, he had returned to private life and "started enjoying it" until the Degamo murder.

Documents and other items allegedly belonging to the suspected gunmen in Degamo's killing were recently found in a sugar mill compound reportedly owned by Teves.

• Belongings of alleged Degamo gunmen found in Teves sugar mill

Dozens of firearms, explosives, and ammunition were also recovered from the property.

• More firearms, ammo seized in newest raid on Teves sugar mill

Gov. Teves surrendered 18 of his guns to the authorities after the Philippine National Police (PNP) revoked their licenses.

He also filed a waiver allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into his bank accounts, phone records, and emails in an effort to clear his name.

• Negros Oriental Gov. Degamo shot at home: police

In the TeleRadyo interview, Teves said he also filed a counter-affidavit, where he explained how the firerams and explosives ended up on his property, citing information from his employees.

"Yung natagpuan nila parang may van doon di ba? May van. Pagkatapos, may laman daw pera at baril," he said.

"Yun sinagot ko yon, point for point, pina-explain ko lahat ng residents doon, mga empleyado kung anong nakita nila, at pinag-sworn in ko sila na ganito, para lumabas as it is: kanino yung van, saan nanggaling, kailan pumasok, sino nag-park, ganoon, para makatulong ako sa investigation," he said.

(They allegedly found a van there with money, right? I answered that, point for point. I asked all my employees to also sign sworn statements so we can see who owns the van, where it came from, how it entered, who parked it, and other such info so we can help in the investigation.)

He said he would reveal more information on this in the Senate hearing.

The former governor's brother, Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., will virtually attend the Senate probe, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa told ANC on Thursday.

• Rep. Teves to virtually attend Senate probe on Degamo slay - Dela Rosa

The Department of Justice previously said that the lawmaker, who had yet to return from abroad, was considered one of the masterminds in the death of Degamo and 8 others. Rep. Teves said he and his clan had nothing to do with the killing.