Ms. Brooke Tucker-Reid reports

MANULIFE STRATEGIC INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND ANNOUNCES MONTHLY AND SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS

Manulife Strategic Income Opportunities Fund has declared a monthly cash distribution in the amount of 5.417 cents per unit of the fund to be paid on June 6, 2013, to unitholders of record as of May 31, 2013.

A unitholder who has continually held units since inception will have received a total of $1.2459 per unit as of the payment date.

In addition, a special cash distribution of approximately 16.556 cents per unit will also be paid on June 6, 2013, to unitholders of record as of May 31, 2013. The special distribution may consist of capital gains and/or a return of capital, and is being paid by the fund in order to distribute any and all accrued and expected capital gains of the fund to unitholders in connection with the end of May special redemption right at net asset value. The actual special cash distribution amount will be determined based on financial information as of May 31, 2013, and may be different than the estimated amount provided above.