Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using GuidePH, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service, as well as applicable laws and regulations of the Republic of the Philippines. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use this website.

2. Nature of Services

GuidePH is a digital publishing and information platform. We provide:

• Educational Content: SEO-optimized articles, "Pillar + Cluster" guides, and informational resources.
• General Guidance: Support related to living, investing, and visa processes in the Philippines, provided for informational purposes only.
• Directory Services: A curated professional directory of lawyers and experts to facilitate independent connections.

Crucial Note: GuidePH does not execute government applications, does not act as a legal representative, and does not provide "licensed professional services" directly.

3. No Guarantees

GuidePH does not guarantee the approval of any visa, application, or government process. Outcomes depend solely on the relevant authorities, including but not limited to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

4. Use License & Intellectual Property

Content Protection: All articles, "Pillar Posts," and "Content Clusters" are the intellectual property of GuidePH.

You are granted a limited, personal, non-commercial license. You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or resell any content, guides, or materials.
• Automated Scraping: Data mining or using our content to train AI models without explicit permission is strictly prohibited.
• Modify or copy materials for commercial purposes or share purchased digital products with third parties.

5. Payments, Digital Products & Affiliates

Refund Policy: All payments for digital guides (PDFs, E-books), donation, support, gift, fees, or directory listings are final. No refunds will be issued once the service or digital product has been delivered.

Affiliate Relationship: Users acknowledge that some links on GuidePH are affiliate links. Purchasing through these links does not create a direct contract between GuidePH and the user for that specific third-party service.

6. User Conduct

You agree not to use GuidePH for any unlawful purpose. You agree not to post false, defamatory, or misleading reviews regarding any professional listed in our directory. We reserve the right to terminate access for any violations.

7. Directory & Professional Listings

Our directory is an "Information Hub" designed to facilitate independent contact between users and experts.

• Independence: GuidePH operates as a neutral bulletin board. We do not receive "Success Fees" or "Legal Referral Commissions" from listed professionals.
• No Solicitation: Users are prohibited from using directory data for mass marketing or spamming listed professionals.
• Data Accuracy: GuidePH is not responsible for the ongoing accuracy of a professional's Bar standing (IBP), contact details, or current availability.

8. External Links

GuidePH may contain links to third-party sites. We do not control or take responsibility for the content, policies, or practices of any external sites.

9. Limitation of Liability & Data Security

To the fullest extent permitted by law, GuidePH and its owners shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of the website or reliance on its content.

Security Disclaimer: We do not warrant that the website is 100% immune to cyber-attacks or content scraping. Use is at your own risk.

10. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Legal actions shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the Philippines.

12. Consulting & Informal Messaging

By using messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Messenger, Email), you agree:

• No Attorney-Client Privilege: Communications are NOT protected by attorney-client privilege as GuidePH is not a law firm.
• Non-Binding Guidance: "Guidance" is based on general experience and must be verified with official government sources.
• No Record Obligation: GuidePH is not obligated to retain copies of conversations.

13. Relation to Other Policies

These Terms must be read in conjunction with our Legal Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. Together, they form the complete legal agreement.