Exhibit 99.(j)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated July 26, 2013, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the May 31, 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders of John Hancock Bond Fund, a series of John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund, which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

September 24, 2013