The cases — filed over the last three years by Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo against reporters, newspaper columnists, editors, publishers — had alarmed media watchdogs in one of Asia’s liveliest democracies.

The suits stemmed mostly from stories on alleged corruption and allegations that Arroyo helped his wife rig the closely contested 2004 presidential election.

Despite condemnations by foreign and local media watchdogs, the president’s husband continued to pursue journalists with lawsuits, then adopted a reconciliatory tone following the surgery last month that confined him to a hospital for about three weeks.

Arroyo, an attorney from a prominent family, has no official powers but is regarded as an influential back room operator and a vocal backer of his wife against political rivals.

He was discharged from a suburban Manila hospital Sunday, looking pale and considerably thinner. A daughter held his hand as he walked from the hospital to a van.

“I have instructed my attorneys to withdraw all the libel suits pending before the courts,” Arroyo said in a statement read by the presidential press secretary.

“Seeking redress for all the grievances that the libel suits sought to address now pales in comparison to taking on a genuine chance to make peace,” he said.

He said he would try to reconcile “with those who will accept my offer of a handshake.”

Arroyo thanked his wife, who cut short a trip to China to be at his bedside, and his “harshest critics” for showing compassion.

He called his wife “the constant light in my life” and added “a lesser person would not have been able to take care of me and still take on the duties of a president.”

Last December, 36 Filipino journalists filed a class action suit against Arroyo, alleging that he stifled press freedom.

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