The Commission on Elections announced on Thursday that Miru Systems, Co., Ltd. was the sole bidder for the 2025 automated elections systems.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that the Special Bids and Awards Committee or SBAC received Miru's submission of documents.

"At 9:00 a.m., the SBAC finished accepting bids. Only one submitted their bid, the Miru Systems… The first thing SBAC did was to evaluate the eligibility of the bidder's documents under Republic Act 9184. It is the first stage of the bidding process," Laudiangco said.

The SBAC will open Miru System's financial documents only if the bidder proves its eligibility.

"As you noticed, there is an envelope left on the table that has not been opened, that is the financial document of Miru Systems which will be opened once the SBAC confirms that they are eligible to be a service provider for the procurements of the elections," Laudiangco stated.

Laudiangco stressed that being the lone bidder is still no guarantee that Miru Systems will be declared the official service provider of Comelec. Aside from checking the permits and licenses for its eligibility, the Comelec will also scrutinize the ongoing or completed projects of the bidder.

Meanwhile, the disqualified service provider of Comelec, Smartmatic, requested an explanation for why their bid was rejected.

"Smartmatic attempted to tender their bid this morning at around 8:20 a.m., but the secretary of the SBAC declined to receive it due to the decision made by the Comelec en banc regarding our election matter. We have opened our bidding documents until 10:30 a.m. but the Comelec has not received any temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court," Laudiangco said.

When asked if Smartmatic could get a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, the spokesperson said the Comelec will abide by the SC's decision.

"It will depend on the specifics outlined in the TRO. The SBAC will review what is stated in the TRO. Remember, the general essence of a TRO is to prevent an intended activity. If you notice, the submission earlier has already concluded; we will assess the nature of the restraining order. The commitment of the Comelec has always been consistent: The Comelec will abide by whatever directives the Supreme Court mandates," Laudiangco said.