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The regional workshop on the implementation of the law on regulating the right to access information concluded in Doha.It was organized by the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) in the State of Qatar, in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission in the State of Palestine, which chaired the Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Arab Convention Against Corruption, with support from the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States.The three-day workshop brought together representatives from 15 Arab countries.The workshop concluded with a number of practical recommendations and proposals for joint Arab cooperation projects, aimed at enhancing the implementation of the law and supporting the development of a more integrated Arab framework in the areas of transparency and accountability.In her opening remarks, Director of the Control and Development Department of ACTA Amal Al Kuwari noted that organizing this event came in response to a recommendation from the seventh meeting of the Governmental Experts Committee of States Parties to the Arab Convention Against Corruption. She emphasized that it represents the result of fruitful cooperation between Qatar, Palestine, and the Arab League.Al Kuwari explained that the right to access information is no longer merely an administrative procedure, but a fundamental pillar of integrity and good governance, and an effective tool for building trust in public institutions and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that Qatar recognized the importance of this right early on, issuing Law No. (9) of 2022 regulating the right to access information, alongside awareness and training programs to support its implementation.The workshop aimed to exchange legislative and executive experiences in this field, review international principles and standards, and share best practices to develop national policies and strengthen the capacities of Arab countries. The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center in Qatar oversaw the training sessions throughout the workshop.

An alliance of 30 influential Philippine business and civic organisations is demanding an independent investigation into what it describes as "excessive corruption" linked to government infrastructure projects.The call for action comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr disclosed last month the results of an internal audit into flood control projects, revealing troubling patterns of irregularity.Key findings showed that out of 545bn pesos ($9.63bn) in flood control spending since 2022, thousands of projects were either substandard, poorly documented, or non-existent.Some carried identical costs despite being in different locations, and only 15 out of more than 2,000 accredited contractors cornered 20% of the total budget.The allegations have spurred legislative inquiries in both chambers of Congress, and Marcos has said he will create an independent commission to investigate "these nefarious activities."The alliance expressed "outrage, disgust and disappointment" over the "shameful, unabated, continuing and excessive acts of graft and corruption" by many officials in Congress, the executive department and local government units."While we take note of the President admonishing the corrupt in government, we are concerned that the guilty among these officials will continue their merry way of robbing the people and filling their pockets," the groups said in a statement.They described the acts as a betrayal of public trust and a "treasonous" offence against Filipinos.There was no immediate comment from the offices of the president, the house speaker and senate president.The controversy has already led to the resignation of the public works secretary. His successor, Vince Dizon, has suspended all bidding for locally funded flood control projects, ordered courtesy resignations of all public works officials, and vowed to permanently blacklist contractors involved in fraudulent projects.The Philippine scandal unfolds as neighbouring Indonesia grapples with its own wave of public outrage. In recent weeks, mass protests have erupted across 32 provinces in Indonesia, many turning violent, with regional parliaments set ablaze.While Indonesia's streets have filled with demonstrators, the Philippine response has so far remained largely online, with citizens resorting to naming and shaming on social media. Some activist groups have begun mobilising on the ground, and others are calling on the public to take to the streets.