Arroyo allies throw out Philippines impeachment bid

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine lawmakers allied with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo threw out an impeachment complaint against her on Monday, shielding her from further such moves by the opposition for at least one more year.

Arroyo, due to serve until 2010, survived an impeachment bid for the third year in a row, which have been brought on charges of corruption, election fraud and human rights abuses. She has also survived two attempts by rogue troops to seize power.

Voting 184-1, with one abstaining, the House of Representatives voted to adopt a report prepared by a congressional justice committee to dismiss the complaint for lack of substance, blocking a possible trial in the Senate.

The vote was widely expected.

"Nothing of national significance has risen to unseat the president," Matias Defensor, one of Arroyo's allies, told reporters after lawmakers voted to keep the president in power.

"There is no reason for this nation to move against her. More so, there's no reason for the members of this House to impeach her."

The 30-member opposition bloc did not take part in the proceedings, sitting and listening as Arroyo's allies took turns to explain why they voted to dismiss the impeachment complaint.

The complaint against Arroyo stemmed from allegations by the businessman son of her crucial ally in Congress, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, that kickbacks were involved in a $330 million (159 million pounds) telecoms deal with a Chinese company that she had approved.

Under law, Arroyo cannot be the subject of another impeachment complaint for at least another year, and analysts believe the opposition will not bring any such move for the remainder of her term as it prepares for the 2010 presidential elections.