MANILA, Philippines -- Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad yesterday assailed Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto for allegedly peddling lies about the mayor?s supposed plan to push the candidacy of his wife to replace him as mayor.

While Trinidad claimed that he did not bear ill feeling toward Calixto, Trinidad was obviously peeved by Calixto?s statement that he was planning to put up a ?conjugal dynasty? in Pasay by fielding his wife, Nelfa, in next year?s elections.

?I never said that my wife will be running for mayor. My wife also never made any announcement that she would join politics,? Trinidad told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.

The mayor stressed that he would be seeking reelection next year to continue his programs for the city.

Although he has been mayor since 2001, Trinidad argued that he was still qualified to run for reelection as his suspension from office in 2006 over a graft case caused an interruption of his second term.

Under the law, individuals are not allowed to occupy an elective position in the local government for three consecutive three-year terms.

?Technically, this is just my first term,? Trinidad said.

Trinidad also belittled the decision of Calixto and seven other city councilors to withdraw support from him when they took their oath as members of the ruling Lakas political party the other day.

He said he was not surprised with Calixto?s announcement to run for mayor, saying he knew even then that his erstwhile political supporter would eventually target his post.