HEALTH ISSUES | Senate releases Pharmally executive over humanitarian concerns

January 11, 2022 , 11:11 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 11, 2022) – Senators have released the president of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation from custody after almost two months of detention, the Senate sergeant-at-arms confirmed on Tuesday, citing humanitarian considerations.

Twinkle Dargani was able to return home following the approval of her motion but she would still be required to attend the Senate hearings about her firm’s controversial deals with the government during the COVID-19 crisis, according to retired Major Gen. Rene Samonte.

“Hindi na siya babantayan. She was released for humanitarian considerations with the understanding that she would make herself available to the Senate whenever needed,” said Samonte in a statement.

On Monday, Senate President Tito Sotto III approved the release of Dargani based on a letter forwarded by Sen. Richard Gordon who heads the Senate blue ribbon committee, which has been leading the investigation. Samonte said Dargani was officially released from Senate custody at around 12:15 a.m. to her mother and headed to their residence in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

JUST IN | Inaprubahan ni Senate Pres. Tito Sotto ang pagpapalaya kay Pharmally Pharmaceutical President Twinkle Dargani mula sa kaniyang Senate detention dahil sa “humanitarian reasons.” | via @maeannelosbanos pic.twitter.com/vXxDOPZNag

— News5 (@News5PH) January 10, 2022

Dargani recently tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting very mild symptoms while she was under detention. Her infection came at a time that the Senate was placed under lockdown as 46 staff members tested positive for the virus. Three senators also confirmed catching the virus recently.

“I, in my capacity as chairman, am not blind to the raging epidemic that has afflicted tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters. Neither are we insensitive to the fact that Ms. Dargani herself tested positive for COVID-19,” said Gordon in his letter addressed to Sotto.

BASAHIN. Ang aking liham kay Senate President Vicente Sotto III ukol sa pagpositibo sa COVID-19 ni Pharmally Official Twinkle Dargani. pic.twitter.com/mTpH7Qa4EC

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) January 10, 2022

Dargani’s mother also expressed “very deep concern” about the mental health condition of her daughter who had been in the Senate since November 15 after being cited for contempt for not providing documents regarding Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation’s dubious deals with the government in relation to COVID-19 supplies.

She tried to escape with her older brother, company secretary and treasurer Mohit Dargani, through a chartered flight in Davao City bound for Malaysia. But authorities were able to apprehend them.

The elder Dargani was transferred to the Pasay City Jail on November 29 after also failing to show the said documents subpoenaed by the senators. He was locked up alongside Pharmally Pharmaceutical Company director Linconn Ong who was also called out for his contemptuous acts.

“Pharmally Pharmaceutical executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani, as well as Linconn Ong, have been evasive in answering questions, uttered lies, and spewed falsities, forcing the committee to exercise its rarely used powers of contempt, ordering the incarceration of the three,” said Gordon last November.

The senators also found out that the Dargani siblings bought luxury cars, along with other officials of the embattled company, which only had a paid-up capital of P625,000 before the questionable deals with the government.

(PM)

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