| Description | Conservative, free-market party and the oldest in the Philippines. Party emerged from a Filipino national identity movement begun in 1872, which became the rallying cry of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the leading force for independence. The party unofficially established itself on the opening day of the Quiapo Assembly in August 21, 1901, and became the ruling party of the Philippines from 1935 to 1942. The PN was the first one banned during the Japanese occupation (1942 to 1945), and sat in hibernation until re-established in 1951 as the party of José P. Laurel, who controversially served as the third President of the Philippines (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945) under the Japanese Imperial Army. Party later came under the tutelage of the Laurel family in the early 1990s. Party has been led by former senator and 2016 candidate for President Manuel Villar and his wife, senator Cynthia Villar [Partido Nacionalista; Partidong Nasyonalista (PN)]. |
