Umabot na sa mahigit 2.4 bilyong piso ang ginastos sa pre-campaign advertisments ng mga senatorial candidate sa May 13 midterm elections.
Batay ito sa datos ng Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism mula January 2018 hanggang January 2019 sa 18 kandidato sa pagka-senador na gumastos para sa TV, radio, print at outdoor ads.
Pinagbatayan sa nasabing halaga ang rate card ng mga media agency na mino-monitor ng Nielsen Media.
Pinaka-malaking gumastos sa ads sina dating presidential assistant to the president Bong Go, 422 million pesos; Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, 413 million pesos; dating interior secretary Mar Roxas, 401 million pesos;
Dating presidential spokesman Harry Roque, 174 million pesos; Senators Sonny Angara, 156 million pesos; Bam Aquino, 136 million pesos; Grace Poe, 99 million pesos; dating presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Tolentino, 92 million;
Senador Cynthia Villar, 80 million; Magdalo Partylist. Rep. Gary Alejano, 76 million; dating senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, 72 million; dating senador Bong Revilla Jr., 64 million; dating senador Pia Cayetano, 46 million;
Senators Nancy Binay, 37 million pesos; JV Ejercito, 26 million pesos; Koko Pimentel, 22 million; dating senador Jinggoy Estrada, 21 million; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, 21 million at dating journalist Jiggy Manicad, 11.9 million pesos.
Gayunman, hindi tugma ang ginastos ng sampu sa 18 na nabanggit na kandidato sa kanilang idineklarang statement of assets liabilities and networth gaya ni Go na mayroong 12 million pesos at Roxas na may 202 million pesos.
