Independent thinking means evaluating issues based on facts, evidence, and long-term implications rather than following prevailing opinions or management recommendations without scrutiny. The presence of strong independent directors and a lead independent director reflects the importance of objective oversight in strategic decision-making. The importance of independent thinking has become even more relevant with the SEC’s recent initiatives to strengthen board independence in Philippine corporations. SEC Chairperson Francis Lim emphasized that independent directors should be truly independent and able to exercise their judgment in the best interests of the corporation and its stakeholders. It will depend on whether those directors exercise independent thinking.