Pharmally’s Twinkle Dargani released from Senate detention
Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executives Twinkle Dargani attends the continuation of the virtual inquiry of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Senate PRIB file photo / Albert Calvelo
MANILA, Philippines — Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executive Twinkle Dargani has been released from Senate detention.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Rene Samonte said Dargani was released at 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
“[She] was released at [12:15 a.m.] this morning to be with her mother, with the understanding that she will be available when needed by the senate,” Samonte told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
“I was told they will proceed to the residence in BGC,” he added.
Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executive Twinkle Dargani is released to her mother early Tuesday. Photos from Senate President Vicente Sotto’s office.
The Senate on Monday approved Dargani’s release from detention for humanitarian considerations.
However, Senate blue ribbon committee chair Senator Richard Gordon proposed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that Dargani be placed under house arrest under several conditions once released from the Senate.
Dargani has been detained at the Senate since November 2021, along with her brother Mohit, after they were cited in contempt for their “refusal” to submit financial documents subpoenaed by senators during the ongoing Senate blue ribbon committee probe.
Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executive Twinkle Dargani is released to her mother early Tuesday. Photos from Senate President Vicente Sotto’s office.
They were also apprehended after an attempt to leave for Malaysia from Davao.
The panel has been investigating the government’s transactions with Pharmally, which bagged over P8.6 billion in supply contracts in 2020.
Some senators saw alleged favoritism in the awarding of contracts to the firm as they doubted the financial capacity of Pharmally since it was only established in 2019 with a small capital of P625,000 when it secured the medical supply deals.
