TERMS OF USE

1. Agreement to Terms

The PCL Hub platform, located at https://www.pclhub.online, is the official digital platform of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). Access to and use of the Platform is governed by these legally binding Terms of Use.

BY LOGGING INTO THE PLATFORM, YOU:

1. AFFIRM that you are a duly verified and accredited member or alumnus of the Philippine Councilors League, categorized as either an "Incumbent Councilor" or a "Former Councilor (Alumni)".

2. ACKNOWLEDGE that your access privileges are determined by your verified user type, as detailed in Section 2.

3. CONFIRM that you have the authority and capacity to enter into these Terms.

4. ARE BEING COMPLIANT with these Terms and represent that you will use the Platform solely for its intended professional purposes.

5. ACKNOWLEDGE that these terms require the use of binding arbitration to resolve disputes.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ANY PROVISION OF THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM.

2. User Types & Access Privileges

2.1 Definition of User Types.

• Incumbent Councilor: A currently serving, duly elected or appointed Sanggunian member whose credentials have been verified by the PCL National Secretariat. This user type is granted full access to the Platform.

• Former Councilor (Alumni): A former Sanggunian member whose service has concluded and whose status has been verified by the PCL National Secretariat. This user type is granted limited access to the Platform as a valued member of the PCL alumni network.

2.2 Access Privileges by User Type.
(a) Incumbent Councilors are granted access to the complete suite of Platform features, including but not limited to:
* All official internal communications and broadcasts.
* All national, regional, provincial, and committee-specific collaboration spaces (groups, forums, document libraries).
* The complete Knowledge Vault, including sensitive and internal documents, ordinances, and policy briefs.
* All engagement and feedback tools.

(b) Former Councilors (Alumni) are granted respectful, limited access to designated areas of the Platform, including but not limited to:
* Public news, announcements, and event calendars.
* General discussion forums open to all members.
* The Alumni Network directory and mentorship circles.
* A curated, non-sensitive resource library (e.g., public training modules, archived public ordinances).
* Access to register for certain PCL events open to alumni.

(c) Content Restrictions: Content explicitly tagged as "Internal - Incumbent Councilors Only" will be automatically hidden from the view of Former Councilors. Former Councilors shall not attempt to circumvent these access restrictions.

2.3 License Grant. Subject to your ongoing compliance as a verified PCL member and the specific privileges of your user type, the PCL grants you a non-transferable, non-exclusive, revocable, limited license to access and use the Platform solely for legitimate League-related, non-commercial purposes.

2.4 Certain Restrictions. Your rights are subject to the following restrictions:
(a) You shall not commercially exploit, sell, rent, or lease any part of the Platform.
(b) You shall not modify, reverse engineer, or create derivative works of the Platform.
(c) You shall not use the Platform to build a similar or competitive service.
(d) You shall not copy, reproduce, or redistribute content from the Platform except as expressly permitted for League business.
(e) All copyright, trademark, and other proprietary notices must be retained on any permitted copies.
(f) You shall not attempt to access features, groups, or content that are restricted from your user type.

2.5 Modification & Termination. The PCL Administration reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate your access or the entire Platform at any time, in accordance with your user privileges and these Terms. You agree the PCL and its technology partner will not be liable for any such change, suspension, or termination.

2.6 No Guarantee of Support. While technical support is provided, the PCL and GlobalTek have no obligation to provide specific support services under these Terms.

2.7 Intellectual Property. All intellectual property rights in the Platform and its content (excluding User Content) are owned by the PCL, GlobalTek, or their suppliers. These Terms grant you no intellectual property rights except the limited access license stated.

3. User Content & Acceptable Use

3.1 User Content. "User Content" is any information you submit (posts, documents, comments, etc.). You are solely responsible for your User Content and its legality, reliability, and appropriateness. You bear all risks associated with its use. The Platform is not a backup service; you are responsible for your own backups.

3.2 License You Grant. By posting User Content, you grant the PCL a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, and display such content solely for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform's functions.

3.3 Acceptable Use Policy. You agree NOT to use the Platform to:
(a) Submit content that violates any law, third-party right (including intellectual property), or the confidentiality requirements of your office (for Incumbent Councilors) or former office.
(b) Submit unlawful, harassing, abusive, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, or misleading content.
(c) Share content that is harmful to minors or violates data privacy laws (RA 10173).
(d) Upload malware or engage in any activity to damage or disrupt the Platform.
(e) Send unauthorized advertising, spam, or conduct unsolicited promotions.
(f) Harvest data about other members without consent.
(g) Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation or user type.
(h) Interfere with the security or proper functioning of the Platform.
(i) Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform, including areas restricted from your user type.
(j) Use automated systems (bots, scripts) to create accounts or generate activity.
(k) For Former Councilors (Alumni): Post or attempt to contribute to internal discussion threads, working documents, or collaboration spaces designated for Incumbent Councilors only.

The PCL Administration reserves the right to review, remove any User Content, and investigate or take appropriate action (including account termination) for any violation of this policy.

3.4 Feedback. Any feedback you provide regarding the Platform may be used freely by the PCL and GlobalTek without obligation to you.

3.5 Indemnity. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the PCL, GlobalTek, and their officers from any claims arising from your use of the Platform, violation of these Terms, or your User Content.

4. Third-Party Links & Interactions

4.1 Third-Party Links. The Platform may contain links to third-party sites. These links are provided for convenience only. The PCL does not control or endorse these sites and is not responsible for their content or practices. You access them at your own risk.

4.2 Interactions with Other Users. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members. The PCL is not responsible for any User Content or the conduct of any user. You release the PCL and its partners from any claims arising from disputes with other users.

5. Privacy & Data

Your use of the Platform is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms. The Platform uses essential cookies for functionality and security. As a private professional network, it does not host third-party advertising or use advertising tracking cookies like Google DART.

6. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. THE PCL AND GLOBALTERK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, ERROR-FREE, OR MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY PHILIPPINE LAW, THE PCL, GLOBALTERK, AND THEIR SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF ONE THOUSAND PHILIPPINE PESOS (PHP 1,000.00).

8. Term and Termination

These Terms remain in effect while you use the Platform. We may suspend or terminate your access immediately for any violation of these Terms, including violation of user-type access restrictions. Upon termination, your right to access the Platform ceases immediately. Provisions of these Terms that should survive termination will do so.

9. Copyright Policy (DMCA)

The PCL respects intellectual property rights. If you believe your copyright has been infringed on the Platform, please send a written notice containing the information required by Republic Act No. 8293 (The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) and its implementing rules to our designated agent at [Insert PCL Secretariat Address/Email for Legal Notices].

10. General Provisions

10.1 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution. These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any dispute arising from these Terms shall first be resolved amicably through the PCL Secretariat. If unresolved, it shall be submitted to arbitration in [City, e.g., Mandaluyong City] under the rules of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI). The arbitration award shall be final and binding. Both parties waive the right to pursue disputes in court, except to enforce an arbitration award or seek injunctive relief.

10.2 Class Action Waiver. All claims must be brought in your individual capacity, not as a class action or consolidated action.

10.3 Changes to Terms. We may modify these Terms. We will notify members of significant changes via the Platform's announcement system. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

10.4 Electronic Communications. You consent to receive communications from us electronically (via the Platform or email), which satisfy any legal requirement for written communication.

10.5 Entire Agreement. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the PCL regarding the Platform. If any provision is found invalid, the remainder of the Terms remains in effect.

10.6 Contact. The Platform is operated for the Philippine Councilors League by its technology partner, GlobalTek Holdings Inc. For questions about these Terms, contact the PCL National Secretariat.

Copyright/Trademark Information.
PCL Hub™ and the Philippine Councilors League logos are marks of the Philippine Councilors League. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.