OFFICE OF SENATE SGT OF ARMS

THE PRESIDENT of a company under probe for alleged anomalies in multi-billion pandemic supply contracts was released from Senate custody Tuesday after testing positive for coronavirus with mild symptoms. 

“Yes, (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,” Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Rene C. Samonte said in a text message. 

“I was told they will proceed to the residence in BGC, to complete her isolation and quarantine,” he said. 

Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. President Twinkle Dargani was ordered detained at the Senate in October, together with her brother, Pharmally Corporate Secretary and Treasurer Mohit Dargani, and Pharmally Director Linconn Ong, after they were cited in contempt for refusing to provide documents subpoenaed by the Senate blue ribbon committee. 

The Dargani siblings started detention on Nov. 14 after they were caught at the Davao International Airport on board a chartered plane that was bound for Malaysia.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senator Richard J. Gordon, Sr., who chairs the committee, agreed to her release for humanitarian reasons, citing the concern of Ms. Dargani’s mother over her mental health. 

Mr. Samonte noted that Ms. Dargani will no longer be put under close watch. 

The Senate is under lockdown until Sunday after at least 46 employees and two senators tested positive for the virus. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

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