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[John Hancock Life Insurance Company Letterhead]
November 1, 2000
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE: John Hancock Variable Annuity Account H
(File Nos. 333-84765 and 811-07711)
Commissioners:
This opinion is being furnished with respect to the filing of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 under the Securities Act of 1993 (Post-Effective
Amendment No. 11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Form N-4
Registration Statement of John Hancock Variable Annuity Account H as required by
Rule 485 under the 1933 Act.
I have acted as counsel to Registrant for the purpose of preparing this
Post-Effective Amendment which is being filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule
485 and hereby represent to the Commission that in my opinion this Post
Effective Amendment does not contain disclosures which would render it
ineligible to become effective pursuant to paragraph (b).
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with and as part of the
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registrant's Registration Statement with the
Commission.
Very truly yours.
/s/ RONALD J BOCAGE
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Ronald J. Bocage
Counsel
