Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executive Twinkle Dargani was allowed to end her Senate detention Tuesday for humanitarian considerations.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III ordered the release following the appeal of Dargani’s mother, Deepa Chainani, who said she was concerned over her daughter’s deteriorating mental health.
Dargani, who was also diagnosed with Covid-19 but with just mild symptoms, was turned over by the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to her mother past midnight.
She has been detained since November 2021, along with her brother, Mohit, for their failure to turn over documents needed in an inquiry on alleged overpriced medical supplies purchased by the government.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Richard Gordon, Majority Leader Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Minority Leader Senator Franklin Drilon agreed with the release order.
Gordon, in a letter to Sotto on Monday, said he will abide by the decision but suggested that Dargani be placed under house arrest.
The Senate’s custody of her passport is no guarantee of her appearance and cooperation in succeeding hearings, according to Gordon.
He also said Dargani reportedly owns a second passport, issued by the Spanish government, and it is not with the Senate.
The Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry on the alleged anomalous transactions involving PHP7 billion in supplies have been repeatedly postponed. It last held its hearing on December 21.
The committee said it will make public the tax records of individuals identified with Pharmally.
The next hearing is set January 22.
The Senate building in Pasay City is on lockdown this week after at least 46 employees tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.
Source: Philippines News Agency
