Pharmally's Twinkle Dargani released from Senate premises, to complete isolation at home

Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation president Twinkle Dargani has been released from Senate premises to complete her quarantine at her family's residence in Taguig City, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. Gen. Rene Samonte said Tuesday.

“Yes, [she] was released at 12:15 a.m… to be with her mother, with the understanding that she will be available when needed by the Senate. I was told they will proceed to the residence in [Bonifacio Global City], to complete her isolation and quarantine,” Samonte said in a text message to reporters.

While Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon proposed Dargani to be placed under house arrest, Samonte said the security personnel from the Senate will no longer monitor her at their residence.

“Hindi na sya babantayan [Our personnel won’t guard her anymore]. She was released for humanitarian considerations, with the [understanding] that she herself available to Senate whenever needed,” Samonte said.

On Monday night, Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved Dargani's release from Senate premises after she tested positive for COVID-19. She was turned over to her mother, Deepa Dargani.

Sotto said Deepa was worried about her daughter’s “deteriorating mental health condition.”

Twinkle Dargani tested positive for the coronavirus disease and was transferred to Philippine General Hospital but returned to the Senate, according to Sotto.

Twinkle's swab test returned positive on January 7. She has very mild symptoms.

Currently, the Senate building is under lockdown until Sunday, January 16, after at least 46 staff members contracted COVID-19.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson, and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan have also tested positive for the virus.

The Senate blue ribbon committee is investigating the transfer of P42 billion COVID-19 funds made by the Department of Health to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

The PS-DBM also had a questionable transaction with Pharmally, which bagged P8.6 billion contracts on COVID-19 equipment despite having a  P625,000 paid-up capital.  —KBK, GMA News