â PHILIPPINE corporate entities are beginning to invest more in the sectors of technology and consumer goods through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), while the Southeast Asian (SEA) region is expected to be the hotbed for M&A transactions in the coming months. The 23 rd edition of EY Global Confidence Barometer surveyed over 2,400 executives in 52 countries, 185 of whom are from Southeast Asian (SEA) countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the Philippines, companies are said to have already started on M&A moves. âThe survey showed that the financial services, oil and gas, and power and utilities sectors are among the most acquisitive sectors in the Philippines,â Noel P. Rabaja, strategy and transactions leader at SGV & Co., said.