Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago named yesterday seven web sites used by Philippine-based promoters or "chathosts" in selling live *** performances by Filipina "cybermodels" on the Internet.

Santiago identified the *** web sites as www.imlive.com, www.clickmelive.com, www.streamray.com, www.streamate.com, www.mycamfriends.com, www.privateams.com and www.cams.com.

"We conducted background check. We are positive there are hundreds of Filipino women registered in these sites and are offering live *** shows on the Internet to international clients, mostly from the U.S. and Japan," Santiago revealed

The Filipino cybermodels are maintained by local promoters or "videochat hosts," Santiago, former chief of the National Telecommunications Commission and House transportation and communications committee vice chairman, revealed.

"By maintained, it means the women are lodged in groups of four or five in posh condominium units, mostly in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, are given free board and other necessities, and are supplied with computers and web cameras," Santiago said.

"The sites are run by American or Japanese managers. They charge $1.99 to $2.99 each from registered members or users," Santiago said.

Initially, Santiago said, models engaged in the activity hold videochat with clients. The hosts charge $1.99 a minute. If the clients ask the model to undress or perform lewd acts, charges will go up.

A model can entertain several customers at a time or perform for a group chatters from around the world simultaneously. However, a customer may choose to take the woman for a private show where he will pay higher charges.

The U.S. or Japan-based site managers collect from their clients through pay-first membership credits, mainly through credit cards or mailed checks. Anyone with a credit card can register for membership to obtain credits online.

The managers keep 60 to 70 percent of the proceeds, and remit to the Philippine-based promoter or "videochat host" the rest of the proceeds.

The Philippine-based "chathosts," who, in effect act as pimps, collect 30 to 40 percent of the profit, and hand out to the women their share of the proceeds.

Each model usually generates an average of $1,000 to $2,000 a month, 60 or 70 percent of which go to the managers.

Santiago urged the National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to crack down on the local promoters, saying these illicit activities demean Filipino women, as he expressed concern that promoters may have already lured underaged girls as models.

"We were told that there are actually a number of syndicates operating in the country, including one allegedly run by a Filipino operating in Quezon City and another by a gang of South Koreans operating in Subic, Zambales," Santiago said.

Last year, Santiago bared that illicit cyber*** promoters may have lured over 200,000 Filipinos -- women, men and possibly even children -- to the trade based on the registry of a popular web site, www.adultfriendfinder.com that pedde ***ual activities over the Internet.

For the past two years, authorities have busted dozens of so-called cyber*** dens in Angeles City, Baguio City, Zambales, La Union, Manila, Las Piñas City, Quezon City, and Davao City.