Gatchalian-Villanueva mix-up draws laughter in Senate hearings

The resemblance is probably undeniable that even their colleagues in the Senate have often mistaken Senator Joel Villanueva with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The apparent confusion happened again on Wednesday when Villanueva entered the Claro M. Recto Room to attend the hearing of the Senate committee on public works chaired by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao stopped the resource person speaking at that time to acknowledge Villanueva’s arrival.

“We acknowledge the presence of Senator Win Gatchalian,” Pacquiao said, which drew laughter from the people at the hearing room.

“Your honor second time na ito (this is the second time). Kahapon (Yesterday) I was told to attend at 2:00 in the afternoon and the meeting started at 1 p.m. and I’m the vice chair of your committee and I was acknowledged as Sherwin Gatchalian again,” Villanueva protested in jest.

READ: LOOK: Sherwin Gatchalian poses with ‘Senate twin’ Joel Villanueva

Last week, Senator Grace Poe was also about to mention the name of Gatchalian when she recognized Villanueva’s arrival in the hearing of the Senate committee on public services, which she chairs.

But Poe, who already uttered the first letters of Gatchalian’s names, stopped herself immediately but could not help but laugh at her mistake. CDG