Philippine House committee votes to kill impeachment rap against Duterte

MANILA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The House of Representative justice committee threw out on Monday the impeachment complaint against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, declaring the rap "insufficient in substance."

Although the 50-member panel found the complaint to be sufficient in form, 42 of its members voted to declare that the complaint lacked in substance.

Opposition lawmaker Rep. Gary Alejano filed last March 16 an impeachment case against Duterte in the House of Representatives.

The impeachment complaint accused Duterte of betraying his country over public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other crimes.

It was the first move to oust Duterte who assumed the presidency on June 30 last year.