President Rodrigo Duterte remained the most trusted government official in the country, a survey by pollster Pulse Asia said.

The survey, conducted from September 25 to October 1, showed that Duterte's 86-percent trust and approval rating was higher compared to other incumbent Philippine officials.

• READ: Most Filipinos 'approve' of Duterte's performance: Pulse

This is despite his rating already dropping from a record-high trust rating of 91 percent in July.

Although Vice President Leni Robredo posted a three-point increase from a previous survey, her 65-percent trust rating was still below that of the President. She recorded a 66-percent approval rating.

The trust ratings of the three other highest-ranking government officials in the country also improved compared to July.

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III posted a 61-percent approval and 55-percent trust score while House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez received a 43-percent approval and 41-percent trust rating.

On the other hand, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno scored 46 percent in approval and 44 percent in trust ratings.

The Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court also enjoy "small majority approval ratings" of 51 percent to 58 percent, according to Pulse Asia.

Pulse Asia noted that the following stories dominated the headlines leading to the conduct of the survey:

- the initial testimony of alleged hitman Edgar Matobato before the Senate justice committee on the alleged links of Duterte to a death squad during his time as Davao City mayor

- the President's statement that he does not know Matobato

- the criticism from various international bodies, including the United Nations, over the reported increase in drug-related deaths in the country

- Duterte's apology to the Jewish community following his remark citing Nazi leader Adolf Hitler

- Senator Leila de Lima's ouster as chair of the Senate justice committee

- the House investigation into the alleged narcotics trade inside the national penitentiary

- Duterte's release of another list of judges and Chinese nationals reportedly linked to the drug trade

- the House's approval in principle of the proposal to grant Duterte emergency powers in order to address the worsening traffic problem in the Philippines

- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's statement that the Liberal Party was behind Matobato

- the various protests in commemoration of the signing of martial law by former President Ferdinand Marcos

- the death of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

- the depreciation of the Philippine peso