MANILA - As the feud between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte intensifies, a business group on Monday sought reassurance from the government that there will be consistency and regularity of policies so as not to affect investor sentiment.

Speaking with reporters, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Rene Almendras said this is something that both local and foreign investors need to be assured of.

His statement comes as the political drama between the former allies has reached even the international press.

“Our competitive(ness) as a country is also determined by the image and our reputation as a country so most important to business is consistency and regularity of policy. I am hoping that that will continue to be and will be emphasized as we go through these politically challenging times,” said Almendras at the sidelines of the MAP’s General Membership Meeting in Taguig.

“We need to show the world that we are still consistent and we still have the regular business as usual situation,” he added.

Almendras said another uncertainty that the business community is facing right now is the would-be trade policies of US President-elect Donald Trump.

“Everybody’s waiting for what the new US President will roll out as far as his international policy will be. There are many questions as to whether are we going to see a trade war. Are we not going to see a trade war? Or if there will be, to what extent it will be?” he said.

And just like other countries, Almendras said the Philippines also needs to brace itself for whatever will happen.

“Other countries have been preparing for it. We need to exist in that community of nations and we need to be a participant in the global economy. We will be affected by any geopolitical developments or changes or adjustments,” he said.