Bagman

Bagman is currently a 2-season TV series on Netflix bannered by Arjo Atayde as Benjo Malaya and is told from his point of view. "Bagman" attempts at social commentary tackling controversial issues in Philippine politics. It feels like close cousin to "On the Job", also a political thriller running on HBO, where characters live and die in a universe of maneuverings, violence and corruption.

Arjo Atayde is a natural in his role as barber turned "tirador", a fixer/henchman for the powers-that-be until a sudden twist of fate puts him into a position of power.

As a TV series, Bagman works on its own terms, with production values that seem to fit a given budget and supporting actors whose perfornaces can seem uneven with notable exceptions including that of Allan Paule as Cito,. This isn't your typical Pinoy goons and guns though and has a well-paced, driving plot line. Worth watching.