SAN DIEGO San Diego Mayor Bob Filner plans to undergo behavioral therapy as pressures for him to step down from his political post continue to grow.
Filner on Friday again apologized to his staff and the people of San Diego for “the behavior I have engaged in over many years,” he said. The former long-time San Diego Congressman, Filner is accused of sexually harassing former staffers and women whom worked with him during his tenure as a politician.
Women groups, former city council leaders and now the Democratic party have asked Filner to resign.
“My failure to respect women and the intimidating contact I engaged in, in times is inexcusable,” Filner said.
Filner is well-known in the Filipino American community for championing the plight of Filipino World War II veterans.
Since the sexual allegations came out, Filipino-American leaders (who have worked with Filner over the years) have been shocked and saddened about Filner’s fall.
Filner said he plans to enter a behavior counseling clinic on August 5 and return on August 19. At the clinic, he said he plans to “undergo two weeks of intensive therapy to begin the process of addressing [his] behavior.”
He said staffers would continue to brief him on city activities every morning and evening.
“This intensive counseling would just be the first step,” Filner said. “In what will be a continuing … ongoing regular counseling. I must become a better person. And my hope is that by becoming a better person, I put myself in a position to someday be forgiven.
“However, before I even asked, before even think of asking for forgiveness, I need to demonstrate that my behavior has changed. And that will only happen over time and only if such incidents never ever happen again,” Filner added.
Filner declined to answer reporters questions after finishing his statement.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Las Vegas August 1-7, 2013 Sec A pg.1)
