The sovereignty of the Philippines refers to the status of the Philippines as an independent nation. This article covers sovereignty transitions relating to the Philippines, with particular emphasis on the passing of sovereignty from Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Paris (1898), signed on December 10, 1898 to end the Spanish–American War.US President William McKinley asserted the United States' sovereignty over the Philippines on December 21, 1898 through his Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation.