I'm unsure what exactly was in the patch and what's in the expansion, but it's not like megacorps play any differently. The only real difference is branch offices, and that's limited to just getting resources a different way.
Megachurches have a building that also increases spiritualist tendencies if you build it at a branch office.
Haven't tried out the cartel though, and they actually penalize planets with crime, which might change how you actually play.