EDB, as with many ini files, this file is set up by e-smith using templates.
You should copy the files in:
/etc/e-smith/templates/etc/php.ini/
to:
/etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/php.ini/
then you can mess with the scripts in the custom-directory as you want. You probably want to look for the file '40DataHandling'
command to effectuate your changes:
/sbin/e-smith/expand-template /etc/php.ini
and restart your webserver:
service httpd restart
grz,
Medimo