The House justice committee, in a session boycotted by the pro-impeachment group on August 31, junked all three impeachment complaints filed against President Gloria Arroyo.

The committee ruled that the remaining complaint against Arroyo, alleging she betrayed public trust by rigging the May 2004 vote, was sufficient in form but lacking in "substance."

A complaint must be found sufficient in both form and substance for it to prosper.

The committee earlier threw out the two other complaints, including one backed by the opposition that also accused the president of corruption and human rights violations.

The election was made without the opposition, which had walked out of the proceedings on August 30, accusing the Arroyo administration of railroading the congressional hearings.

Meanwhile, the pro-impeachment bloc said it would instead focus its efforts in gathering the required number of signatures to send the complaint directly to the Senate.

One of the proponents of the impeachment, Marinduque Representative Edmund Reyes, said the opposition had gathered 73 signatures, just six signatures short of the 79.

He said at least 23 more lawmakers committed to endorse the amended complaint on top of the 50 signatures recorded at the House secretary general's office.