In a stirring address at the 43rd National Congress and 45th National Assembly, the National President Ronald F. Delos Santos of the Philippine Eagles fraternity issued a powerful call for internal unity, transparency, and a strategic shift towards recruiting “quality members” to fortify the organization for future generations.
The speech, delivered to a gathering of national officers, regional governors, vice-governors, and members from across the Philippines and overseas chapters, outlined a clear agenda focused on “Good Governance, Strong Unity, Building Strong Brotherhood.”
A Triad of Core Principles
The leader framed the organization’s mission around a “powerful triad” of principles. He emphasized that Good Governance is the foundation, built on an “unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.” He directly addressed concerns about financial mismanagement, assuring members, “What they are saying, that it went to our pocket, is not true.” He promised that by 2026, a clear system would be in place to account for every peso of member contributions.
This foundation of trust, he argued, strengthens Unity. “Unity does not mean we are all the same,” he stated. “It means that despite our differences, we are bound to a common oath and purpose and shared vision.” He appealed for understanding towards the National Administration during what he described as a “transition period.”
The ultimate goal of this governance and unity, he declared, is to build a Strong Brotherhood. “A brotherhood is not strong because of the number of its members, but the gift of their commitment to one another,” he said, framing it as a support system where “no eagle stands alone in times of need.”
Shift in Membership Strategy: Quality over Quantity
In one of the most significant parts of his address, the president explicitly called for a change in membership strategy. He stressed the need for “quality members” over sheer quantity.
“We need professionals. We need quality members,” he stated. He expressed concern that the organization already has a large number of members, but some are not actively engaged or lack the financial capacity, which strains the fraternity’s resources. “What we need now is the quality members, and not the quantity,” he emphasized, urging current members to choose new recruits with wisdom.
Key Initiatives and Reforms
The speech highlighted several ongoing and future initiatives:
Organizational Restructuring: A review of the organizational structure is underway to improve efficiency and service delivery at all levels.
Transparent Appointments: A new appointment commission ensures that all positions are filled through a process examining “fairness, transparency, and accountability.”
Digital Transformation: The rollout of an “e-Constitution” is in progress. By next year, members’ IDs will be embedded with a scannable version of the constitution, while new members will receive physical copies.
Support for OFWs: The leader highlighted the crucial role of overseas chapters, not just for fellow Eagles but for all Filipino OFWs in need of assistance abroad.
Budget for Charity: He assured that all charity works and local projects would have allocated budgets for 2026, allowing chapters to request funds for medical missions, wheelchairs, and other humanitarian needs.
An Emotional Appeal for Cooperation
The address concluded with a heartfelt plea. “I am begging you. Help me. Because I can’t do this alone,” the National President said, asking for members’ commitment to change. He directly asked the assembly, “Can you count on for the change of our organization?” to which the crowd responded with a resounding “Yes.”
He also reminded members not to avoid national officers, especially those from far-flung regions who invest in travel, and to communicate openly to resolve any issues “for the good of our organization.”
The congress serves as a pivotal moment for the Philippine Eagles, setting a course focused on internal strengthening, transparent governance, and a renewed dedication to its fraternal and charitable mission.#
