OPPOSITION senatorial candidates appear to rule the roost as of 7:30 p.m.with eight of them making it to the top 12 slots in initial unofficial counts — mainly comprising first returns from Luzon and Visayas islands — in today’s synchronized national and local elections.

The polls closed at 3 p.m.this afternoon.

Leading the opposition pack in the Magic 12 is Francis Escudero of the Genuine Opposition with 129,275 in unofficial partial tabulations by media network giant ABS-CBN. He is followed by Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino also of GO, with 121,753

The rest of the partial tallies: Loren Legarda, (GO)120,315; Panfilo Lacson, (GO)113,113; Kiko Pangilinan (Independent), 99,425; Joker Arroyo (Team Unity) 98,393; Alan Peter Cayetano (GO), 97,866; Edgardo Angara (team Unity) , 93,009; Manuel Villar (GO), 91,731; Gregorio Honasan (Independent), 83,675; Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Jr. (GO), 79,944; and Antonio Trillanes (GO), 79,031.

An impressive showing for Trillanes, still in military detention for his role in the Oakwood mutiny when he and other young officers led a failed coup, has stumped many pollsters who have not seen him figuring in the Top 12 in their survey ranges before the election.