It was a proclamation rally for the Liberal Party's candidates in Manila but President Aquino took the opportunity to speak out against three presidential candidates as he also campaigned for his preferred successor, Mar Roxas.

In his speech, Aquino accused Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of planning to resort to a "shortcut" if he wins the presidency, citing the mayor's statement in the February presidential debate wherein he said that his term would be "bloody" as he intends to order the killing of all criminals.

"Ibig sabihin ho ba ng mga katagang 'yun na kanyang binigkas, siya ang tutukoy, siya ang huhusga at siya rin ang magpaparusa? Bawal ba sa kanyang palakad ang magkakaroon ng kontra opinyon? At siya lang ang tama sa lahat ng pagkakataon? Kung ganyan nga po ang sinasabi niya, ako na ho ba dapat ang medyo kabahan?" Aquino said.

READ: Kill the criminals! Duterte's vote-winning vow in Philippines

He also questioned the plan of Senator Grace Poe to name former Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin as anti-crime czar, saying he is not right for the job.

"Hindi ba hindi naman inaaresto ng sundalo ang kalabang sundalo? At kung may nahuhuling sundalo, pwersado silang sumuko dahil natalo na po sila. Si Colonel Querubin o, may kakayahan, totoo, pero angkop ba siya sa trabaho?" Aquino said.

"Pagbigyan na po natin dito si Senadora Grace sa kung sa ano ang gusto niyang sabihin. Pero sa mga panukala niya, ang tanong na palagay ko ay angkop, handa na nga ba siya sa lahat ng desisyong kailangan niyang gawin?"

He criticized Vice President Jejomar Binay for not answering charges of corruption leveled against him and for claiming to have reduced poverty in Makati during his term.

"Nasa poder siya nang pagkatagal-tagal, pero ngayong ang daming kumukwestyon sa kanya. Ako naman po, tignan ninyo ako, wala akong tinataguang tanong o tinatakbuhang isyu. Doon po sigurado tayong nagkakaiba [tayo]."

Aquino also endorsed Alfredo Lim for mayor and Rep. Benjamin Asilo for vice mayor.