The party was organized as a vehicle for Philippine independence, advocating self-rule; and espousing this advocacy through representation in the Philippine Assembly of 1907–1916, and in the succeeding Philippine Legislature of 1916–1935. The ranks of Nationalist politicians rose to prominence through the Commonwealth of the Philippines spanning 1935–1941, ending when political parties were replaced by a singular and monolithic KALIBAPI Party during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
By the second half of the century, the Nacionalista Party evolved into being main political contenders for leadership in the Philippines, in competition with its rivals, the Liberal Party and the Philippine Progressive Party. This leadership endured until the turbulent suppression of partisan politics during the Ferdinand Marcos regime. In 1978, akin to the Japanese occupation, disparate political parties were coerced to merge into a regime-controlled coalition, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. Preferring not to be involved, the Nacionalistas went to hibernation. Years later, in the late 1980s, the party was revived under the leadership of Salvador "Doy" Laurel until the latter's passing.
The Nacionalista Party is presently led by former Senator Manny Villar. In 2016, the party had fielded three vice-presidential candidates either running independently or in tandem with other political parties, namely Alan Peter Cayetano, Bongbong Marcos and Antonio Trillanes, albeit unsuccessfully.[1]
In the 2010 general election, 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.[16] The Nacionalistas fielded Senator Manuel Villar 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, 2010, it was blocked by the Supreme Court after a suit filed by the rival Liberal Party.[16] 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.[17]
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 COMELEC which give the rights to poll watchers during the canvassing of votes.[18] However, it is being challenged by the Liberal Party calls the said alliance a bogus alliance and they are seeking the same party status by the COMELEC.[16] Several local races are also being challenged from both parties, therefore causing confusion in those races.[18]
Throughout their careers, many of the country's politicians, statesmen and leaders were in whole or in part Nacionalistas. Notable names include the following:
Most of these individuals embody solid political traditions of economic and political nationalism are pertinent today, even with the party's subsequent decline.
^Teehankee, Julio (2016). "Weak State, Strong Presidents: Situating the Duterte Presidency in Philippine Political Time". Journal of Developing Societies. 3 (3).
^Laurel was member of the NP before 1942 and from 1945 to 1959. During his tenure as President, he was affiliated with KALIBAPI.
^During the 1946 presidential election, Roxas, who is a member of the liberal-wing of the NP, formed the Liberal Party and eventually moved there.
^Moved to the Liberal Party during the 1946 presidential election.
^In 1978, Marcos left the NP and formed his own political party known as the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).
^Estrada was a member of the NP during his term as Mayor of San Juan and Senator. In 1991, he formed his own party known as the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
^Duterte was a member of the NP during his term as Mayor of Davao City, Duterte left the party in 1998, when he joined LAMMP. He won the presidency in 2016 under PDP–Laban and formed the Coalition for Change with NP.
^Marcos was a member of NP during his term as Senator until 2016. He left the party and joined Partido Federal ng Pilipinas(PFP), which he became a chairman of the party.