G.R. No.

L-42334 October 31, 1936

NORTH NEGROS SUGAR CO., plaintiff-appellant,
vs.
SERAFIN HIDALGO, defendant-appellee.

Coming into Equity with Clean Hands. — The maxim that he who comes into
equity must come with clean hands is, of course, applicable in suits to obtain
relief by injunction. Injunction will be denied even though complainant shows
that he has a right and would otherwise be entitled to the remedy in case it
appears that he himself acted dishonestly, fraudulently or illegal in respect to
the matter in which redress is sought, or where he has encouraged, invited or
contributed to the injury sought to be enjoined. However, the general
principle that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands applies
only to plaintiff's conduct relation to the very matter in litigation. The want of
equity that will bar a right to equitable relief for coming into court with
unclean hands must be so directly connected with the matter in litigation
that it has affected the equitable relations of the parties arising out of the
transaction in question. (32 C. J. pp. 67, 68.)

G.R. No. 201264, January 11, 2016

FLORANTE VITUG, Petitioner, v. EVANGELINE A. ABUDA, Respondent.

After years of benefiting from the proceeds of the loans bearing an interest
rate of 6% to 7% per month and paying for the same, Jocelyn cannot now go
to court to have the said interest rate annulled on the ground that it is
excessive, iniquitous, unconscionable, exorbitant, and absolutely revolting to
the conscience of man. "This is so because among the maxims of equity are
(1) he who seeks equity must do equity, and (2) he who comes into equity
must come with clean hands. The latter is a frequently stated maxim which is
also expressed in the principle that he who has done inequity shall not have
equity. It signifies that a litigant may be denied relief by a court of equity on
the ground that his conduct has been inequitable, unfair and dishonest, or
fraudulent, or deceitful as to the controversy in issue."
IN RE: PETITION FOR SEPARATION OF PROPERTY ELENA BUENAVENTURA
MULLER, Petitioner,
vs.
HELMUT MULLER, Respondent.

It has been held that equity as a rule will follow the law and will not permit
that to be done indirectly which, because of public policy, cannot be done
directly. 14 He who seeks equity must do equity, and he who comes into
equity must come with clean hands. The latter is a frequently stated maxim
which is also expressed in the principle that he who has done inequity shall
not have equity. It signifies that a litigant may be denied relief by a court of
equity on the ground that his conduct has been inequitable, unfair and
dishonest, or fraudulent, or deceitful as to the controversy in issue.

' Bein v. Heath, 6 How. 228, 247, 12 L.Ed. 416.

It is a principle in chancery, that he who asks relief must have acted in good
faith. The equitable powers of this court can never be exerted in behalf of
one who has acted fraudulently, or who by deceit or any unfair means has
gained an advantage. To aid a party in such a case would make this court
the abetter of iniquity.

Deweese v. Reinhard,

And again: 'A court of equity acts only when and as conscience commands;
and, if the conduct of the plaintiff be offensive to the dictates of natural
justice, then, whatever may be the rights he possesses, and whatever use he
may make of them in a court of law, he will be held remediless in a court of
equity.'