MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) -- Singer Zsa Zsa Padilla on Sunday denied that Comedy King Dolphy is already out of the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Makati Medical Center.

Singer Martin Nievera earlier said on "ASAP 2012" that Dolphy is already out of the ICU.

But in her official Twitter account, Padilla said she is currently with Dolphy at the ICU where the comedian is undergoing his third dialysis.

"Hello. I'm currently with Dolphy at the ICU where he is currently having his 3rd dialysis. There was a bit of misinformation earlier at 'ASAP,'" Padilla, the actor's long-time partner, said.

She, however, thanked the ABS-CBN show for giving a tribute to Dolphy.

“We would like to thank 'ASAP' production, staff and singers who paid tribute to Dolphy by way of singing his favorite songs,” she said.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Quizon family released at noon on Sunday said Dolphy had a tracheostomy Saturday night “to alleviate from a lot of discomfort and make it easier for his organs to perform properly.”

A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening in the neck leading to the trachea to safely deliver oxygen to the lungs.

“After the procedure, his blood pressure has normalized. His heart rate has also improved and although there are still fluctuations, these have become less frequent and less radical,” the family said in a statement.

Dolphy's son Eric Quizon later explained that this was the reason his dad was taken out of the ICU last night albeit briefly.

"He’s still in the ICU. Yes, nilabas siya sa ICU kagabi because he went through a surgery. Tinanggal na ang respirator sa bibig, nilipat na sa kanyang neck, tracheostomy," he said.

Better vital signs

Quizon also said his father is more responsive and more frequently awake compared to the previous days.

"Mas madalas siyang awake ngayon. Mas madalas siyang nakadilat, mas responsive... Ang importante ay he’s getting better, he’s getting all the rest that he can. Sana magpatuloy siya, maski na dahan-dahan ang progress," he said.

Quizon said Dolphy's blood pressure has normalized and his heart rate has improved although he is still suffering from pneumonia.

"He’s still in ICU, still critical so binabantayan pa rin siya. It has been a steady progress on his part so kaya kaming pamilya medyo somehow nare-relieve kami sa mga nangyayari. But then again, he still has COPD. His pneumonia is still there. Hindi pa talaga siya maki-clear hangga’t hindi pa niya nauubos ang kanyang antibiotics. But according to the doctors naman nagsu-subside na ang pneumonia," he said.

Quizon said their family is still hoping that the comedian could soon return home.

"Hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa na maaalis siya sa ICU at baka sakaling makauwi din siya. Pero we’re taking it on a daily basis kasi hindi kami puwedeng magsabi na okay na siya at tapos na ang problema kasi hindi pa tapos ang problema," he said.

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