Nacionalista Party

Platform

The Nacionalista Party, historically, belonged to the conservative wing of Philippine politics, while its main opponent, the Liberal Party and its junior coalition partners all belong to the liberal wing. In practice, the differences between both parties are obscure as changing of party allegiance by individual politicians (as is the case in Italy and pre-reform Thailand), especially prior to major elections, has become a norm in Philippine politics.

History

The original “Nacionalista” Party that was founded on August 21, 1901 in Calle Gunao,Quiapo, Manila was forgotten. In that Quiapo Assembly, the following officers of the true Nacionalista were elected: Santiago Alvarez and Pascual Poblete as Presidents; Andres Villanueva, Vice Resident; Macario Sakay, Secretary General; Francisco Carreon, Alejandro Santiago, Domingo Moriones, Aguedo del Rosario, Cenon Nicdao, Nicolas Rivera, Salustiano Santiago, Aurelio Tolentino, Pantaleon Torres, Valentin Diza, Briccio Pantas, Lope K. Santos, Pio H. Santos, Salustiano Cruz, Valentin Solis and Jose Palma. The party began as the country's vehicle for independence, through the building of a modern nation-state, and through the advocacy of efficient self-rule, dominating the Philippine Assembly (1907–1916), the Philippine Legislature (1916–1935) and the pre-war years of the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935–1941). During the Japanese Occupation political parties were replaced by the KALIBAPI. By the second half of the century the party was one of the main political contenders for leadership in the country, in competition with the Liberals and the Progressives, during the decades between the devastation of World War II and the violent suppression of partisan politics of the Marcos dictatorship. In 1978, in a throwback to the Japanese Occupation, political parties were asked to merge into the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, although the Nacionalistas preferred to go into hibernation. Eventually, the party was revived during the late 1980s and early 1990s by the Laurel family, which has dominated the Party since the 1950s. The Nacionalista Party is now being led by party president Manuel Villar, former Senator, and has three Vice Presidential candidates running independently or in tandem with other political parties (Cayetano, Marcos and Trillanes) in the 2016 Philippine Elections. Two of the other present parties, the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People's Coalition are breakaways from the Nacionalista Party

House of Representatives

*does not include candidates who ran as under a Liberal Party ticket along with another party.
**in coalition with PDP-Laban

Past

Throughout their careers, many of the country's politicians, statesmen, and leaders were, in whole or in part, Nacionalistas. Notable names include:

Philippine Presidents and Vice-Presidents who were affiliated with the NP

Senators

Most of these individuals embody solid political traditions of economic and political nationalism are pertinent today, even with the party's subsequent decline.

Current

Some members of the House of Representatives and Senate include, but are not limited to, the following:

Nacionalista-affiliated parties

Candidates for Philippine general election, 2010

Senatorial Slate (11)

Candidates for Philippine general election, 2013

Senatorial Slate (3) Team PNoy

Candidates for Philippine general election, 2016

Vice-President:

Senatorial Slate

Controversy over dominant-minority status

During the 2010 elections, the Nacionalista and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) formed an alliance after it was approved by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on April 12, 2010. The Nacionalistas fielded Senator Manuel Villar, Jr. and running with fellow Senator Loren Legarda who is a member of the NPC. It became the dominant minority party after a resolution passed by the COMELEC. On April 21, however it was blocked by the Supreme Court after a suit filed by the rival Liberal Party. On May 6, 2010, the Supreme Court nullified the merger and therefore giving the Liberal Party to be the dominant minority party. It was based on a resolution by the COMELEC giving political parties to be accredited by August 17, 2009.

The coalition was made to help the Nacionalista Party to help boost the presidential campaign of Senator Villar and have a chance to be the dominant minority party by the Commission on Elections which give the rights to poll watchers during the canvassing of votes. However it is being challenged by the Liberal Party calls the said alliance a "bogus" alliance, the Liberals are also seeking the same party status by the COMELEC. As well, several local races are being challenged from both parties therefore causing confusion in those races.