The challenge that former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte that he repeatedly spewed before the investigating committees of both the senate and the house of representatives, that he had been killing people but no case has yet been filed by the government, had reportedly been accepted. No less than the justice secretary had issued the statement that an investigation is being conducted to gather evidence and determine if there is enough basis to file the charges. Coordination had also been initiated with the international criminal court to ensure that there will be no overlapping in the prosecution of cases. It was clarified that the government will take the lead and the international criminal court will provide a secondary role.

This development is aimed to satisfy the former president’s wish to bring on the prosecution which he had been waiting for so long, else, he might die before the charges could even start, taunting the government for its inaction against him. So much information and evidence had been gathered by the congressional investigation where the former president gave details of his bloody war on drugs, justifying his style as within the ambit of the constitution and the law. He kept on bragging that as a lawyer and former prosecutor, he did it right when he was mayor and later as president. He too had taught aspiring policemen in the police academy and emphasized the right to shoot when the policeman’s officer is in danger from a potential criminal who was instigated to fight,
Any law student worth his salt would know that such strategy is unlawful as the fundamental requirement to raise self-defense is that the one invoking it mush not have provoked the aggressor. Basic too is the fact that the policeman under threat is not a judge to declare that the aggressor must be killed. Such act is tantamount to disregarding the constitutional presumption of innocence, the person’s right to due process. The policeman’s act of killing the potential aggressor sans any clear overt act to put his life in danger places the policeman as a judge that condemns even before trial. So strict is the requirement of the law that the elements of self-defense must fall foursquare, elsewise, the killing would fall as murder of a helpless victim.

Unfortunately, the killings during the former president’s term were recorded about six thousand cold bodies but human rights groups peg the number at over twenty thousand. The bloody drug was had caught the attention of the international criminal court, giving impetus for it to initiate investigation, albeit met with strong opposition of the former president who vowed to exert all of his powers to stop the investigation and prosecution. Victims suffered in silence for fear of reprisal and further sufferings at the hands of the former president’s minions whose stance was that they are merely following the orders of the former president. Of the large number of victims, not one could be tagged as among the big fishes in the drug trade.

It would be recalled how the former president cleared those involved in the shipment of drugs that were nabbed by the national bureau of investigation. It resulted in the resignation of the director who stood by his men and the tried and tested multi-awarded police dog that found the drugs inside large containers. All these are out of his hokum.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

IT’S the Season of Advent again and with it we make another beginning of the liturgical year. If we truly understand the significance of the liturgy in our life, we know that we really should prepare ourselves seriously for this new beginning, having it clear in our mind what the ultimate purpose of our life is in this world.

As the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, liturgy is the “celebration of the mystery of Christ” through which the sanctification of humankind takes place. It’s a public worship offered by the whole Church as one organic body, with Christ as head and us as its members. (218) It’s a joint effort between Christ and us.

As the “sacred action par excellence”, it is therefore the “summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed and it is likewise the font from which all her power flows.” (219) The liturgy is not just a remembrance of things past. It is putting into the living present all that Christ said, did and gained for our own salvation.

With this Season of Advent, we need to develop a strong and correct sense of beginning. At the moment, many of us seem oblivious to this need. We appear to live only for the present. The past and the future are merely given a lick and a promise, that is, a shallow and fleeting consideration.

It could be because our contemporary conditions often lead us to act only for the moment. The problems and pressures of modern life badger us to mind only what is at hand at present. They tend to erode our sense of time. They seem to keep us narrow-minded, short-sighted and Pavlovian in our reactions. They trap us only in the here and now.
It’s one of the urgent challenges nowadays to develop this abiding sense of beginning. It’s what gives us a greater perspective and depth in life, a guide to help us assess things properly as we go on and encounter all sorts of situations.

We need to understand that Advent is a period of a love-filled waiting not only for the most joyous Christmas, the birth of Christ, but also and most especially of the second coming of Christ.

We need to look forward to that coming when Christ gathers us as his people at the end of time, incorporating us into his mystical body and bringing us to where we truly belong—in heaven where we, individually and collectively, will enter into a definitive communion with God, a communion of love in mind and heart.

Christ’s second coming is when we finally complete our earthly sojourn which is meant to be a time of testing, a time of making a choice either to be with God or simply to be by ourselves.

That is when we finally would become “alter Christus,” another Christ, who is the pattern and redeemer of our humanity. That is when we finally become the true image and likeness of God as God himself wanted us to be. That is when we organically form together with the others the definitive family and people of God with Christ as the head.

Even if the season of Advent is, in general, marked by a spirit of sacrifice as preparation for the coming of Christ, it also should be characterized by joy. We need to make a shout-out of this truth of our faith that true joy can only come from God, from loving him, following his will and commandments, and entering into such ever-growing intimate relationship with him that we could clearly and promptly see his abiding interventions in our life.

The presence of stress and burnout in a work environment carries substantial consequences for both individual employees and the overall organization. Understanding these effects is crucial for addressing and mitigating the negative impact on individuals and overall productivity.

While stress itself isn’t directly listed as a cause of death, numerous studies demonstrate its strong correlation with major causes of mortality. Here are some examples:

• A 2021 study found that physical and mental stressors can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). This means stress can contribute to sudden death via heart attack, but also to prolonged health issues like substance use disorder, leading to early death.

• A 2021 research review showed that chronic stress is directly linked to various diseases and illnesses, including anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue.

• Another study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, revealed a nearly 50% increased risk of early death due to chronic stress and depression compared to lower levels of stress and depression.

• A study published in the Journal of Aging Research found that men experiencing persistently moderate or high levels of stressful life events over several years had a 50% higher mortality rate.

• Research by Nielsen et al. (2008) using data from a large Danish study showed that self-reported stress was associated with increased all-cause mortality over the next 20 years.

These studies highlight the significant impact of stress on health and mortality. While it’s not the sole cause of death, it’s a major contributing factor to various health conditions that can lead to premature death.

It’s important to note that these studies often focus on chronic stress, not temporary stress. While short-term stress can be beneficial in some situations, prolonged exposure to stress can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health.

1. Physical Health Effects:

– Chronic Fatigue: Prolonged stress and burnout can lead to persistent fatigue, impacting productivity and overall well-being.
– Insomnia: Sleep disturbances are common among individuals experiencing workplace stress, affecting cognitive function and overall health.
– Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, and other physical ailments are often associated with chronic stress and burnout.

2. Mental Health Effects:
– Depression and Anxiety: Workplace stress can contribute to the development of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, affecting both work performance and personal life.
– Irritability and Anger: Employees experiencing burnout may exhibit increased irritability and anger, leading to strained relationships with colleagues and decreased job satisfaction.
– Increased Risk of Substance Abuse: Coping mechanisms for stress and burnout may involve unhealthy behaviors like alcohol or substance abuse, further exacerbating mental health issues.

3. Personal Consequences:
– Isolation and Withdrawal: Burnout can lead to social withdrawal and isolation from friends and family, impacting overall social well-being.
– Financial Irresponsibility: Stress-related burnout may result in poor decision-making, including financial irresponsibility and inability to manage personal finances effectively.
– Inability to Fulfill Responsibilities: Individuals experiencing burnout may struggle to meet personal and professional obligations, leading to a sense of inadequacy and further stress.

4. Professional Consequences:
– Job Dissatisfaction: Burnout often results in decreased job satisfaction, leading to disengagement, reduced productivity, and potential turnover.
– Withdrawal from Colleagues: Employees facing burnout may withdraw from interactions with colleagues, impacting team dynamics and collaborative efforts.
– Drain on Company Resources: High levels of stress and burnout can strain organizational resources through increased absenteeism, reduced performance, and potential turnover costs.

Conclusion:
The effects of stress and burnout in the workplace are multifaceted, impacting both individual well-being and organizational performance. By recognizing these effects and implementing strategies to address and prevent burnout, employers can create a healthier work environment, enhance employee satisfaction, and improve overall productivity.
Do realize how precious life is and free yourself from stressful people and situations.
————–
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!