Earlier this month, the House Justice Committee threw out the complaint against Arroyo over alleged corruption and betrayal of public trust and vowed to stick to a one-year ban on other such attempts.

The complaint was dismissed on a technicality for "lack of substance" — the third year in a row that Arroyo's allies have saved her from an opposition-led impeachment attempt.

The 240-member House upheld the committee's decision, with 184 lawmakers voting for the dismissal of the complaint, one against and one abstention. The rest were absent or left the plenary hall during the voting.

At least one-third vote of the House is needed to bring the complaint to the Senate for trial.

Critics of the complaint, filed by lawyer Ruel Pulido, alleged it was weak and may have been filed to prevent a stronger case from seeing Arroyo impeached.

Under the rules, only one impeachment suit can be filed against the president in one year.

Pro-Arroyo Rep. Edcel Lagman, vice chairman of the justice committee, said the complaint, which alleged Arroyo "connived" with officials over a supposedly bribe-tainted contract with China's Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment for a government broadband network, did not cite "factual allegations of overt acts" and relied on "hearsay" testimony in the Senate.

Arroyo scrapped the deal after a losing bidder told a Senate inquiry that bribes were offered to ensure approval of the project. Arroyo's husband also was promised a huge kickback, the bidder said. Arroyo's husband has denied receiving any kickbacks.