SAN DIEGO – San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, a long-time champion of Filipino American World War II veterans, on Thursday issued an apology to the residents of San Diego for his behavior after being accused of sexually harassing employees.

“I have diminished the office to which you elected me,” said Filner in a DVD given to media outlets. “As someone who has spent a lifetime fighting for equality for all people, I am embarrassed to admit that I have failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me, and that at times I have intimidated them.”

Filner’s apology comes after a week of news reports alleging the mayor has harassed “numerous” female employees during his tenure.

Former political allies have also called for Filner’s resignation just seven months into his term, according to news reports.

San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye told local affiliate NBC, the victims (who remain anonymous)approached her about the allegations.

“There is no doubt in my mind that what I am telling you and standing here talking about today. There is no doubt in my mind that these allegations are true,” Frye told NBC San Diego.

The 70-year-old Filner is very well known in the Filipino American community. Filner served as a Democratic US Congressman in San Diego for more than two decades.

As a congressman, Filner championed the plight of Filipino WWII veterans and was instrumental in securing a $198 million lump sum benefits package for them.

Filner said he is “clearly doing something wrong” to women staffers.

“I have reached into my heart and soul and realized I must and will change my behavior,” he said.

Filner said he plans on getting help and on apologizing to former employees.

“If my behavior doesn’t change, I cannot succeed in leading our city. In the next few days, I will be reaching out to those who now work in the Mayor’s office or have previously worked for me – both men and women – to personally apologize for my behavior,” he said.

(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend July 13-16, 2013 Sec A pg.1)