Client-lawyer privilege cannot be used as a shield for unlawful acts such as concealing offenders, misleading authorities, or delaying legal processes, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said.

Vida made the statement following questions on whether lawyer Jimmy Bondoc could refuse to disclose information about the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa by invoking client-lawyer privilege.

“We will see. My position is that the client-lawyer privilege doesn't excuse him from being an officer of the court,” Vida said.

“Being a citizen of the Philippines covered by the law, it doesn’t excuse him from cooperating or from committing crimes like concealing offenders, misleading authorities, or delaying legal processes,” he added.

The statement came after Bondoc declined to provide information on dela Rosa’s location, saying he could not disclose details due to attorney-client privilege.

Dela Rosa is currently facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Department of Justice has also formally requested Bondoc to submit any information he may have regarding the senator’s whereabouts following his public claim that he allegedly knows where the senator is.