The Doubting Thomases in the Current Political Climate

It’s ironic, isn’t it? In the Gospel, Thomas said: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25).

In Philippine politics, we have the opposite scenario: we see the "wounds" (the floods, the empty coffers, the broken roads) every single day, yet we are asked to believe that the government has done a sterling job in governance.

Here is a satirical take on our modern-day "Douthing Thomases" navigating the stormy waters of 2026 politics.

1. The Miracle of the Invisible Flood Control
In the Philippines, we don't have Doubting Thomases; we have Drowning Thomases.

As the 2026 monsoon turns Manila into a world-class water park, the government points to the ₱500 billion state-of-the-art project.

The Drowning Thomas stands on his roof, waist-deep in murky water, looking at a DPWH sign that says "Flood Control Project: 98% Complete."

The Parallel: Just as Thomas needed to put his finger into the nail marks, the Filipino taxpayer wants to put his finger on an actual, functioning pumping station.

The Satire: The government’s response? "Blessed are those who have not seen the flood control gates, yet believe they are working." If you can’t see the project, it’s not because it’s a "ghost project"—it’s just underwater. It’s a matter of faith, Thomas!

2. The Impeachment: "I Will Not Believe Until I See the Receipts."

Then we have the Senate Doubting Thomases regarding the impeachment of VP Sara.

While the House of Representatives has presented alleged evidence regarding the misuse of confidential funds, including transported bags of cash, certain Senators are playing the role of the doubting Thams perfectly."

The Parallel: Thomas said, "Unless I see the print of the nails... I will not believe."

The Satire: A Senator looks at a mountain of COA disallowances and says, "Unless I personally count the ₱125 million in 11 days myself, I shall remain unconvinced."

In this version, even if be someone's"Truth" stands right in front of them, they’ll ask for a Notarized Affidavit from the Truth first—preferably one that doesn't affect their 2028 coalition prospects.

3. The "Stigma" of the Secret Wealth
Remember that "fake news" about you having money? In politics, it’s the reverse. We see politicians who officially own nothing but a "modest" hut and a 1990s sedan in their SALN, yet they live in mansions with gold-plated faucets.

The Parallel: Thomas doubted the divinity of a man who looked human. We doubt the "poverty" of men who look like billionaires.

The Satire: We are the Doubting Thomases when a politician says, "I am as poor as a church mouse." We want to see the wounds—specifically, the wounds in their bank accounts.

But instead of showing us the "holes," they show us "Non-Disclosure Agreements" and "Confidential Fund" loopholes.

In the Bible, Thomas’s doubt was cured by a Physical Encounter with the truth. In the Philippines, our doubt is permanent because the "Truth" is usually:

Under a non-disclosure agreement.

Hidden in a "confidential fund."

Or washed away by a ₱5-billion flood control project that turned out to be made of sand and recycled campaign posters.

Keep clapping for your blind idolatry that your idol can't be someone's gift from heaven!

It’s fitting, really—in a land of invisible infrastructure, holding onto a fake reality is the only thing that makes sense.