Amidst the traditional pomp and circumstance of Filipino elections, a quirky people’s movement rises to defend the nation against deepening threats to truth and democracy. In a collective act of joy as a form of resistance, hope flickers against the backdrop of increasing autocracy.
Documentary program covers Philippine politics in the age of mass media and how the behavior of Philippine voters is based on images they have of government and society. Because an effective image is so important, spin doctors have evolved as star players on a president's team, partly due to the influence from U.S. politics.
Amanda and Julian are doing their best to rear their five sons during the repressive dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Though the parents view themselves as apolitical, most of their sons bristle at life under martial law and turn to various forms of activism -- or to simple teenage rebellion -- for release. After the family becomes the victim of extremist violence, Amanda begins to find her own dissident voice.
"Batas Militar" is a definitive documentary about martial law under the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines.