Manulife Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Announces Monthly Distribution

TORONTO, March 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Manulife Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (TSX: MSO.UN) (the "Fund") announced today that a monthly cash distribution in the amount of $0.05417 per unit of the Fund will be paid on April 15, 2013 to unitholders of record as of March 28, 2013.

A unitholder who has continually held units since inception will have received a total of $1.1375 per unit as of the payment date.

For more information, please contact Manulife Customer Service at 1-888-333-3240.

About Manulife Investments
Manulife Investments is the brand name describing certain Canadian subsidiaries and operating divisions of Manulife Financial Corporation that offer personal wealth management products and services in Canada. As one of Canada's leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated fund contracts, mutual funds, annuities, guaranteed interest contracts and structured products. Manulife Structured Products are managed by Manulife Asset Management Limited.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$532 billion (US$535 billion) as at December 31, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation