MANILA (Reuters). The ratings for Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine president, suffered a decline in third-quarter ratings. His government’s handling of COVID-19 and other issues such as inflation, corruption, and crime saw lower approval, according to an opinion poll.

Pulse Asia’s Sept. 6-to-11 survey was released just as elections season begins in the Philippines. The election will be for the presidency, and many other key positions in politics that are up for grabs by Duterte’s comrades.

Duterte may only be elected for one term. He cannot run again for the presidency.

The drop mirrors a similar outcome of another poll published last month on public satisfaction https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/satisfaction-with-philippines-duterte-fell-21-pct-nov-june-despite-strong-2021-09-24 with Duterte, whose score fell 21% in June from a record high in November.

Pulse Asia conducted its latest poll of 2,400 Filipinos and found that the Duterte administration experienced a double-digit drop in approval ratings on all 14 issues. This is a contrast to the survey done a year earlier.

They included combating crime and corruption as well managing inflation.

Duterte’s closest aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-president-duterte-says-he-is-retiring-politics-2021-10-02 and some of his cabinet ministers are expected to file candidacies this week for the Senate and other positions up for election, which include seats in the lower house, governors and mayors.