The Philippines faces a constitutional crisis as the Supreme Court has ruled that a bid to impeach the country's top judge is unlawful.
The impeachment attempt has prompted street protests and divided the country along familiar lines - supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada have backed it, while the Catholic Church and former president Corazon Aquino have led rallies against it.
President Ms Gloria Arroyo had said earlier the Supreme Court's ruling should be honoured, as her party held last-minute talks to persuade lawmakers to withdraw backing for the complaint.
A court spokesman said 13 out of 14 justices had decided the impeachment was unconstitutional because it was the second such complaint against Chief Justice Hilario Davide in a year.
The constitution allows no more than one impeachment complaint against the same official in a year.
Analysts say Ms Arroyo, who is trailing in polls ahead of the elections, risks losing crucial political support if she fails to resolve the crisis.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia said on Sunday there would be a "real, real crisis" if the court ruled the impeachment unconstitutional.
Some of the lawmakers who have filed the impeachment complaint against Mr Davide on allegations he misused public funds have said they are determined to go ahead with an impeachment no matter what the Supreme Court ruled.
They said their attempt to impeach the judge was a political issue and the court should not block it.
They are expected to attempt to send impeachment articles to the Senate for trial - despite the Supreme Court decision - as the House of Representatives reconvenes today after a two-week break.