MANILA, April 23 (PNA) -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has acquitted United States Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith of rape charges filed against him by Suzette "Nicole" Nicolas, thus reversing the earlier ruling of the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) of life imprisonment for the US serviceman.

Were we ever scared of the past tense? Apparently, we were. In this book "Philippine Public Schools" there is a note about the use of past tense. "First-grade teachers should not be afraid to use the past tense form from the very beginning," the note says. The American teacher who is observing the English teaching method says that past tense forms can be learned easily in early language period." This was the January issue.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 21 (PNA) - PhilHealth Bikol vice president and regional director Orlando Iñigo, Jr. announced that members and dependents can now enjoy the New In-Patient Benefit Package effective this month if they are victims of Salmonella and in conditions when hospitalization is needed.

SORSOGON CITY, April 23 (PNA) -- The shellfish ban remains hoisted in Sorsogon Bay with still high concentration of red tide organism, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). BFAR has recently issued a shellfish bulletin that included anew Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon in Matnog town, this province, as among the bodies of water where the shellfish ban is imposed.

MANILA, April 21, 2009-A Catholic Church-based election watchdog lashed at politicians for premature campaigning by taking cover behind commercial advertisements or personal advocacies.

MANILA, April 24 -The 23 Filipino crew of the chemical tanker "M/T Stolt Strength," are now navigating supposedly on safe waters in the Indian Ocean after they were released by Somali pirates on April 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today.

NAGA CITY, April 20 (PNA) --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today promised to undertake more approaches to lessen the impact of the global economic crisis on the country. The President spoke to a jam-packed crowd attending the grand opening ceremonies of the National Private Schools Athletics Association (PRISAA) Games at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace.

The best time to visit San Jose, Camarines Sur is during Good Friday. There is an emerging tradition, initiated by the residents of the seaside town, which is getting wide attraction every Good Friday. The attraction has caught the attention not only of townpeople from far-flung barangays, but also those from other towns and balikbayans. And that attraction is unique because people in the community get to pose as biblical personalities in the various stations portraying the Passion of Christ.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 21 (PNA) - Bicol Regional Development Council and Albay Governor Joey Salceda has urged the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to restore the construction of Pantao Port project in Libon, Albay. "The point is the province is taking a strong stand that should make Pantao port an integral part of economic development," Salceda said.

The Naga College Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Philippines National Institute for Geological Sciences, Christian Aid, and the Manila Observatory, will be holding a Grand Launching and Fundraising Dinner of the TYPHOON PREPAREDNESS CENTER (TPC) on 30 April 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the NCF compound.