On the Job

In a Philippines rife with violence, corruption and poverty, Contract killing Mario and Daniel are prisoners who are frequently released and paid to commit contract killings for their boss, Thelma. Mario spends his earnings on his daughter's law-school tuition and on his estranged wife, Lulette. Daniel (the younger and more-reckless partner) sends remittances to his family and spends the rest on goods and privileges in prison; he has come to see Mario as a mentor and father figure. After they murder drug lord Tiu and return to prison, Tiu's murder case is assigned to National Bureau of Investigation (Philippines) Agent Francis Coronel through Congressman Manrique (the agent's father-in-law). Coronel's father, also a police officer, died amid rumors of corruption. When Coronel and his partner, Bernabe, arrive at the local precinct they clash with Philippine National Police Officer Joaquin Acosta, who believes that the case was taken from him for political reasons.