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The Office of the Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman
The latest news and top stories on The Office of the Ombudsman. A Hong Kong-based independent statutory body, The Office of the Ombudsman is dedicated to ensuring a fair and efficient public administration. Its main areas of focus include investigating complaints of maladministration against government departments and public organisations, and initiating direct investigations into systemic issues.
People queue overnight for test-free driving licence applications outside the Transport Department Licensing Office at United Centre in Admiralty on January 7. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Driving licence system gaps mar Hong Kong’s reputation

An Ombudsman investigation found ‘queuing gangs’ are exploiting loopholes in the test-free driving licence application system despite it being moved online.

The Philippines

Sara Duterte’s ally arrested ahead of her impeachment trial in Philippines

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Hong Kong transport

‘Queuing gangs’ exploited Hong Kong driving licence ticketing system: ombudsman

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Hong Kong society

‘Deficiencies’ in maintenance, repairs at Hong Kong parks mar visitor experience

Ombudsman urges authorities to overhaul management of country parks, including addressing delays in repair works and poor cleanliness.

Visitors queuing to use a toilet in Ham Tin, Sai Kung East Country Park. The city’s ombudsman has cited “deficiencies” in repair work and cleaning services in Hong Kong’s country parks. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong society

Opinion | More transparency and accountability good for Hong Kong’s Medical Council

Having more lay members in the watchdog and public disclosures of time frames in handling complaints are welcome reforms.

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Letters | Animal abuse cases must force Hong Kong to finally update its law

Readers discuss the effort to investigate and deter animal cruelty, a UN report on the environmental costs of data centres, and the sacking of a school principal for swearing.

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The Philippines

Philippine senator ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada faces arrest on corruption charges

He has been indicted for plunder and violating anti-corruption laws after earning ‘kickbacks’ of 573 million pesos (US$9.3 million).

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Philippine Senator Jose Jinggoy Estrada at the senate plenary hall in Manila earlier this month. Estrada has been jailed twice before, also ‌on corruption offences. Photo: AFP
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Editorial | Amid growing concern, Hong Kong should move faster on animal cruelty

A recent Ombudsman report highlights worrying shortcomings in the enforcement of the city’s laws against animal cruelty.

Hong Kong society

Give officials more power to probe suspected animal cruelty cases: watchdog

Office of the Ombudsman says existing ‘investigative approach is ineffective against offenders intending to conceal evidence’.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Medical Council reform must prioritise the public interest

It's well within reason for Hongkongers to expect accountability from a body tasked with registering and licensing medical practitioners.

The Medical Council logo is seen on November 5, 2025. Photo: Karma Lo
Thailand

Thailand’s parliament opens amid scrutiny over bar codes on election ballots

The ombudsman has cited 21 public complaints that bar codes and QR codes on the ballots could be used to ⁠identify how people voted.

A view of the Thai parliament in Bangkok in September 2025. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong Legco to explore mainland-style oversight system for bills enforcement

Legco president Starry Lee’s proposal follows Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang’s call for city’s legislature to deliver more ‘practical outcomes’.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong’s Medical Council must heed diagnosis of ills in complaints process

While the 21 recommendations put forward by the ombudsman may not offer an instant cure, reform is the need of the hour.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong ombudsman slams Medical Council’s ‘excessively long’ complaints system

Investigation also finds system plagued by persistent backlog of cases, with 895 complaints still pending as of last December.

The findings showed that the council completed 263 inquiry cases between 2020 and 2025, averaging 44 a year. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong’s slope safety monitoring must keep pace with climate change

While the risk of casualties from slope failure has not been high, the city mustn’t be complacent amid reports of repeated landslides.

Workers respond to a landslide in Shau Kei Wan, cleaning up mud and boulders on October 19, 2023. Photo: Elson Li
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong ombudsman raises concerns over repeated landslides on man-made slopes

Since 2008, most cases of repeated landslides are either not included in monitoring programme or deemed relatively low priority, ombudsman says.

The Philippines

Marcos’ cousin faces plunder charges in Philippine corruption scandal

The government also auctioned off luxury vehicles linked to corruption in flood infrastructure in a bid to recover stolen public funds.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong authorities vow to improve respite services after ombudsman’s probe

Social Welfare Department calls for operators to remove unnecessary checks, while vowing to take to task those who fail to resolve issues.

An elderly man walks through Oi Man Estate in Ho Man Tin. The ombudsman earlier found some care homes offering respite services were unduly selective when admitting applicants and were underused. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Mediation between residents and officials can only benefit Hong Kong

The ombudsman has taken mediation to a new level, resolving almost three times the number of cases as in the previous year.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong ombudsman creates global academy to help fight sloppy administration

Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy offers events for departments, public organisations and overseas watchdogs via its online platform.

Ombudsman Jack Chan speaks at the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy. Photo: May Tse
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