The Philippines' house of representatives suspended plenary debates about presidential impeachment issues on Monday for lack of quorum, putting off the official close of the political drama until Wednesday.

Seven congressmen were lined up on Monday afternoon to give their speeches for the privilege hour, which takes up the first hour of the plenary debates, local TV showed.

Minority lawmakers earlier left the session hall to hold a caucus before the start of the session.

Pro-impeachment advocates have arrived at the lower house to watch the debates. Former president Corazon Aquino, widow of the late presidential candidate Susan Roces and former cabinet members who resigned were seen in the galleries.

The house committee on justice are scheduled to present their findings through a report to the plenary. Last week, the committee rejected the impeachment complaints against president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Some 140 majority lawmakers in favor of Arroyo earlier held a caucus to assess the status of the impeachment process, according to local reports.

Speaker Jose de Venecia said he is confident that the decision of the justice committee would be upheld in the plenary.

The Philippine public and media had expected a formal end to the impeachment struggle on Monday, when the majority of the house would vote to legally defeat the opposition.

Source: Xinhua