MANILA, Philippines?The House of Representatives has thrown out the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez late Tuesday.

A total of 172 voted to junk it, while 15 voted to keep it alive and one abstention.

The complaint, filed in March this year by civil society groups and former Cabinet officials, charged Gutierrez of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

Lawmakers attempted to vote on it Wednesday last week, after nearly four hours of debate, but there was no quorum.

The committee on justice earlier voted that the complaint was sufficient in form but was not sufficient in substance.