<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
[LETTERHEAD OF JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY]
June 30, 2000
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Separate Account IPL-1
File Nos. 333-71341 and 811-09213
Commissioners:
This opinion is being furnished with respect to the filing of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 under the Securities Act of 1933 on the Form S-6
Registration Statement of Separate Account IPL-1 as required under the 1933 Act.
I have acted as counsel to Registrant for the purpose of preparing this
Post-Effective Amendment 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.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with and as a part of this
Post-Effective Amendment to Registrant's Registration Statement with the
Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ronald J. Bocage
--------------------
Ronald J. Bocage
Vice President and Counsel
