The nation celebrates Independence Day, but questions arise on whether Filipinos are truly free given issues in governance and poverty.
According to Atty. Samson So Tan, a lawyer from Cagayan de Oro, from a philosophical perspective the Philippines is indeed free because it has the right to choose its own democratic path.
However, he explained that from a legal standpoint, the country is not fully free since it is bound by agreements with other nations and organizations such as the United Nations.
Atty. Tan likened the situation to a bird that has the power to choose where to fly, but whose movements are limited by laws and the realities of its environment.He emphasized that what matters most is ensuring that these limitations are reasonable and do not infringe upon the rights of others.
