MANILA, April 24(Xinhuanet)-- The Philippine government said on Sunday that big oil companies should open their financial books to public scrutiny so as to erase doubts that they are a cartel or colluding with each other to manipulate oil prices.

"I think it is only proper for oil companies to open their books to avoid being accused of operating as a cartel. We all know that oil companies, particularly those with huge supplies, will always be accused as being a cartel if they are not transparent," said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a radio interview.

A few nation-wide transport strikes have hit the country over the past weeks as transport unions protested soaring oil prices and inflation which came in consequence.

A recent poll showed that a majority of Filipinos are not happy with the work of the government in terms of controlling the prices of basic commodities and economic reforms. Enditem